MA Coronavirus Cases Surge After Days Of Steady Increase

BOSTON — In recent days, state health officials have noticed a slow but gradual creep upward in coronavirus cases. While the rise in new infections wasn't monumental, it came after weeks of appearing that Massachusetts, at least temporarily, had managed to flatten the curve more than at any other time since the pandemic began in mid-March.

But on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced 438 new confirmed cases — the biggest daily surge in months — which increased cumulative cases to more than 111,000. The state also reported nine new deaths, which increased the death toll to 8,436.

While health officials had seen the steady climb in cases in recent days — 643 new positive cases were reported between Saturday and Sunday — Gov. Charlie Baker warned residents Tuesday that if the upward trend of positive cases increases, he will have no other choice but to roll back the state's reopening plan to previous levels.

Baker told reporters that after the positive coronavirus test rate jump to 2 percent from 1.7 percent, he may be forced to “adjust our plans” if the data warrants such a move. Tuesday’s jump in cases represented a 146 percent hike from a week ago, when 178 new cases and 14 new deaths were reported.

Baker also said that as cases climb, residents should remain on alert while continuing to do their part by wearing masks and maintaining proper social distancing. He also said he isn’t taking any options off the table, including reinstating restrictions on businesses and the size of public gatherings.

"COVID's not taking the summer off and we can't either," Baker told reporters. "It's critical for folks to remain vigilant in their daily activities."