Framingham Now Has Over 1,000 Coronavirus Cases, 35 Deaths

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham on Sunday passed a sad threshold that only a handful of other communities in the state have so far: more than 1,000 people in the city have been diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus.

As of Monday, the pandemic total stood at 1,091 with 35 total deaths. More than 900 of those cases and 30 of the deaths occurred since April 1. The city's total active case rose to 782 on Monday — that number includes the total number of cases, minus deaths and recoveries — which is the highest number since the pandemic picked up speed here in March.

Framingham health officials have identified household transmission as one of the main ways the virus is infiltrating the community. There is also a cluster of at least 65 cases at MCI-Framingham, and 236 cases across the city's 10 senior care facilities. Service industry workers are also among the hardest-hit, according to the Framingham Department of Health.

On Saturday, Framingham counted 91 new positive coronavirus tests, the highest of any single day since the outbreak began in March. That's due to a surge of tests at assisted living facilities.

Massachusetts also crossed a pandemic threshold on Sunday. With 158 new deaths on Sunday, more than 4,000 people have now died statewide due to the virus. And 68,087 people have now tested positive.

Here's a look at how coronavirus grew in Framingham just in the month of April.

Framingham has also been keeping track of total active cases, which subtracts deaths and people who have recovered. Although the line dips several times, it rises as more testing happens. A large spike occurs between April 22 and 23 due to large outbreaks at Casa de Ramana, Carlyle House, and St. Patrick's Manor.