First Coronavirus Death In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — Mayor Jeannette McCarthy on Monday announced the first death related to the new coronavirus in the city.

"It is with sadness that I announce our first tragedy in Waltham from this insidious novel virus," McCarthy said. "Our thoughts and our prayers are for this kind, gentle man and his loving wife, children and extended family."

No other details about the person were released.

As of Monday, 56 people had died across the state because of the virus, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The eight deaths reported Monday were people who were in their 60s, 70s and 80s, the DPH said.

On Monday there were 5,752 confirmed cases of the virus in the state according to DPH. The last time Waltham updated the number of diagnosed cases of people who tested positive for coronavirus, on March 25, there were 24 people in the city, they said.

"The decision to share case counts is the responsibility of a city or town," a Massachusetts Department of Health spokesperson said in a statement to Patch. "DPH recommends that local boards of health respect the privacy and confidentiality of residents when providing case counts.”

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