MA Coronavirus: Cases Top 34K, 159 More Dead

BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker said the federal government has "rightly" let states have the final say on when its safe to re-open their economies, amid the new coronavirus crisis.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump's administration issued guidance that states should see a period of two weeks of decreased cases before states should consider reopening. This hasn't happened in Massachusetts yet, Baker said.

As of Friday afternoon, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts surpassed 34,000. The Department of Public Health said there were 2,221 new cases. The death toll also hit 1,404 with another 159 people dying.

"We think we are in the surge, how long it lasts is hard to predict,..." Baker said in a news conference Friday. "This is an unprecedented event."

According to Baker, 57 percent of the state's 18,000 hospital beds are available, but officials expect hospitalization rates to keep increasing over the coming days.

"As your governor, I'm always going to put the needs of Massachusetts first, ..." Baker said. "We'll continue to fight full force so that we can move back toward normalcy when it's appropriate to do so ... There's no doubt we'll recover and see brighter days."

Baker said the state is working "around the clock" to expand COVID-19 testing and build its contact tracing program. He asked residents to do their part and "hang in there," as he works with other states and the business community on how to gradually and safely reopen the economy.

Protective Gear For First Responders:

Baker announced that 200,000 respirator masks will be distributed to police officers and firefighters across Massachusetts. The masks will better protect those on the front lines as the new coronavirus pandemic surges toward its peak.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency started delivering the masks to local police and fire departments. County sheriffs and university police will also receive protective gear.

"This distribution is going on as we speak, and tens of thousands of masks have already been distributed to our first responders," Baker said. "We must work closely with them to determine how many masks each first responder needs."

Baker said each first responder will receive five masks and training on when and how to use them.

New masks and other personal protective equipment will continue to be distributed to hospitals and other health care facilities. Baker said as of Thursday, MEMA had distributed four million pieces of protective equipment to facilities across the state.