MA Progress Continues As Coronavirus Indicators Trend Down

BOSTON — For a third day in a row, the four major public health indicators the state is watching as it gradually reopens the economy all trended in the right direction in Sunday's coronavirus update.

Still, there were 1,013 newly confirmed cases and 68 more deaths, lifting the overall total to 92,675 cases and 6,372 fatalities.

The seven-day weighted average of positive test rate, three-day average of number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital, the number of hospitals using surge capacity and the three-day average of COVID-19 deaths all continued to tick downward. Those metrics, along with other factors, are helping officials weigh reopening.

Much of that progress came in the number of hospitals at surge capacity, which decreased from 12 to nine Sunday. The three-day average of COVID-19 deaths has also dropped by half since April 15. The three-day average of COVID-19 deaths also decreased from 75 to 69.

Gov. Charlie Baker earlier Friday warned people not to lose focus ahead of Memorial Day weekend, imploring residents to keep social distancing and wearing face masks. Baker said people have worked too hard to lose out on the gains.

"Don't let a few nice days step on that," he said.

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