MA Coronavirus: 1,337 New Cases, Baker Sets Up Relief Fund

BOSTON — As the state's coronavirus case count nears 14,000, Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced a new $13 million relief fund to support nonprofits working on the economic impacts of the outbreak.

State officials announced an increase of 1,337 cases between Sunday and Monday to a total of 13,837. There were 29 new coronavirus deaths, bringing the death toll to 260. The increases reflect both community transmission and more testing. There were 4,492 new tests conducted, bringing the total to 76,429.

As the outbreak grows, so does the economic fallout as residents lose jobs due to a ban on nonessential business. Baker said that the $13 million available from the new COVID-19 relief fund will likely grow as more donations roll in.

Citizens and individual communities around the state have set up similar coronavirus relief funds.

The Worcester Together Fund, a collaboration between the city of Worcester, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and United Way of Central Massachusetts, has raised $3.7 million. The Foundation for MetroWest has started two new relief funds to support food pantries in Framingham, and local nonprofits responding to coronavirus.

New data released Monday shows that the outbreak may continue for some time in the state.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington released new projections showing that more than 8,000 Massachusetts residents could die by Aug. 4 if current conditions hold. The outbreak will peak around April 18, with 373 deaths per day, but hospitals will begin running out of hospital beds sometime this week, the projections show.

Also on Monday, Baker said that a new COVID-19 testing site will be set up in Lowell in conjunction with CVS. The site will test about 1,000 people per day and, like the Shrewsbury testing site, will specialize in testing first responders.

Baker reminded state residents the peak of the outbreak will happen over the next few weeks. He warned residents not to go outside. Even grocery trips should be limited to one person from any household, he said.

"The best and most purposeful way to fight the virus is to not spread it to others," Baker said.

More Massachusetts coronavirus news from today:

• Record MA Unemployment Amid Coronavirus: Self-Employed In Limbo
• MA Braces For Lost Taxes In Coronavirus Shutdown
• Coronavirus In Worcester Hospitals: 14 Dead, 66 Workers Positive
• Coronavirus: 2 Hingham Whole Foods Workers Test Positive