MA Coronavirus: 4 More Dead, Cases Increase 58 Percent

Cases of the new coronavirus in Massachusetts continue to rise rapidly, with a one-day increase of nearly 700, state health officials said Tuesday.

The Department of Public Health's daily update reported four new deaths related to COVID-19, upping the statewide total to 15. The DPH also said the state now has 1,838 confirmed cases, up from 1,159 Monday — a 58 percent increase.

The increase partly reflects a rapid ramp-up in testing. As of Tuesday afternoon, 19,794 tests had been administered, an overnight increase of 6,000. The state lab is responsible for about a quarter of the total, while Quest Laboratories has done over 9,000. Hospitals and other private labs conducted most of the rest.

There are now 446 cases in Middlesex County, 342 in Suffolk County, 222 in Norfolk County and 177 in Essex County. Boston reported 284 confirmed cases, saying 25 patients have recovered and two have died.

The hardest-hit age groups in terms of number of cases are 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59, each with more than 300 cases.

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