Framingham To Use Hotels To Isolate Some Coronavirus Patients

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The number of people in Framingham with coronavirus rose on Friday by 59 to a total of 574, officials said. With 11 deaths and 101 people who have recovered, there are now 462 active cases in the city.

Framingham will also use a new tactic to combat the spread of the virus. People who test positive for coronavirus will now be offered hotel rooms so they can isolate away from people they live with, officials said.

Framingham is seeing many cases in long-term care facilities. But after that, it's people who live with people diagnosed with coronavirus who are most often catching the virus, health officials said.

"While our numbers of newly diagnosed residents grow daily, sometimes dramatically, many of these new cases come from people being exposed to the virus while residing with others who've been diagnosed and cannot properly isolate," Health Director Samuel Wong said in a news release. "The steps people are taking to socially distance themselves, wear cloth face coverings, stay at home, wash their hands, and sanitize surfaces are working. Our numbers would likely be much higher if these steps were not taken."

Nine of the new cases reported on Friday are linked to local long-term care facilities.

More on coronavirus in Framingham:

• 2 More Coronavirus Deaths In Framingham, Cases Jump
• Kelly Clarkson Highlights Framingham Coronavirus Group
• Framingham Offers Money To Residents Hurt By Coronavirus