Virus in New England: Mobile hospital; Soldier home deaths
A look at developments around New England related to the coronavirus pandemic:
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MASSACHUSETTS
The number of people in Massachusetts who have died from COVID-19 rose to 686 Saturday, an increase of 87.
The number of residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus that causes the disease rose to more than 22,800, according to the Department of Public Health.
More than 2,100 have been hospitalized since the outbreak’s start. More than 108,700 have been tested.
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The number of veteran deaths at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke have climbed to 37, with 30 testing positive for COVID-19.
State health officials said another 76 veteran residents have also tested positive for the disease, as have 43 employees.
The home is now the subject of several investigations including one by the U.S. attorney’s office in Massachusetts which is trying to determine whether residents were denied adequate medical care.
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Massachusetts lawmakers have approved a bill that would waive the MCAS graduation testing requirement for the 2019-2020 academic year because of disruptions caused by the coronavirus.
The bill approved this week would let the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education modify or waive competency determination requirements related to high school graduation, including the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam.
The bill is on Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk.
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CONNECTICUT
The Connecticut National Guard is working Saturday to turn the Connecticut Convention Center into a 646-bed mobile hospital as part of the state’s response to the spread of the coronavirus.
The Hartford Courant reports the creation of the mobile hospital is part of a wider effort to prepare for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks.
Similar temporary hospitals have been set up at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven and Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
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Another 46 people in Connecticut have died of COVID-19 associated deaths, bringing the state’s total to 494 since the start of the outbreak.
State health officials said Saturday that a total of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by 972, bringing the total to more than 11,500. Nearly 1,600 people are currently hospitalized.
Nearly 40,000 people have been tested.
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MAINE
There has been an uptick in the number of coronavirus cases in Maine.
State officials announced that as of Saturday, the number of confirmed cases in the state is over 600. Of those people, more than 250 have recovered and over 110 are hospitalized.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in the state stands at 19.
Health officials said the information represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have tested positive for COVID 19. They said the true numbers are likely higher.
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The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed an increase in COVID-19 cases at the Maine Veterans’ Homes facility in Scarborough.
As of Saturday, six staff members and three residents of the facility have tested positive for the disease. One resident has died. The other residents who tested positive live in the same wing of the facility and are being cared for there.
Officials said increased protective measures have been in place since the first positive test.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
More than 250 child care programs statewide have been designated as emergency providers through the newly established Emergency Child Care Program, created to support the families of essential workers during the pandemic.
New Hampshire officials say there are 262 emergency child care programs serving more than 5,500 children across the state.
The program is working through a referral partner to match child care providers with the families who need them.
State health officials said Saturday that confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by 45, bringing the total number of cases to more than 925.
Officials also announced a woman, described as 60-years-old or older, died from the coronavirus. The death toll now stands at 23.
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RHODE ISLAND
Seven more deaths in Rhode Island have been attributed to COVID-19, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced Saturday, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 56,
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations topped 180. There were also more than 330 more positive cases, bringing the total to over 2,300 since March 1.
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Democratic Sen. Jack Reed is seeking additional support for victims of domestic violence who may be at greater risk during virus-related isolation.
Reed pointed to reports that domestic violence calls in the state are up by 30%.
Reed said he is urging Congress to provide additional federal funding to prevent domestic and sexual violence in future coronavirus emergency relief legislation, including at least $225 million for Violence Against Women Act STOP Grants and $100 million for the Sexual Assault Service Program.
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VERMONT
U.S. Rep. Peter Welch is expressing frustration that dairy farmers aren’t getting any immediate relief from the $2 trillion stimulus package.
The package, which was approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, is meant to help individuals and businesses harmed by the spread of the coronavirus.
Welch said farms should be eligible for the $10,000 Small Business Administration emergency loans available to most other businesses, Vermont Public Radio reported.
Milk prices have plummeted as the pandemic keeps schools and restaurants closed.
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Farmers markets must remain closed under Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s state of emergency order.
The markets had lobbied to be considered essential businesses like grocery stores, but agriculture secretary Anson Tebbetts said the businesses must stay closed during the stay of emergency, which extends through May 15.