BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker said Massachusetts is not planning any further shutdowns or restrictions, even as the coronavirus continues to surge into the holiday season.
In his first public comments about the virus in more than a week, Baker said the state is closely monitoring public health data, but gave no indication of what might trigger further action.
Massachusetts is in the midst of a startling COVID-19 spike. Monday’s report said 1,174 people were hospitalized with the virus — and that’s likely not including a potential wave of new cases caused by Thanksgiving gatherings
There have been 218,329 reported cases of the virus and at least 10,512 deaths in Massachusetts since the pandemic began.
Here’s what else to know:
- It won’t be mandatory for Massachusetts residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Baker said just one day after another breakthrough. The governor said the vaccine should arrive in mid-December and will be distributed to the high-risk population at first. He expects it won’t be available to the public until at least the spring. Cambridge-based Moderna on Monday filed for emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after encouraging results in its trial.
- Houses of worship have been connected to three dozen coronavirus clusters and 316 cases since the start of the pandemic. Baker didn’t ask people to avoid going to church, but said they should take precautions — including wearing masks, social distancing and not hanging out afterward. “Our data still found there are too many clusters that stem from houses of worship, and these cases spread out into the community at large,” he said.
- The National Guard will be deployed to two nursing homes to help with testing.
- “This isn’t hopefully a forever thing,” Baker said as he urged people to fend off coronavirus fatigue.
- On the topic of a police reform bill before the Legislature, Baker said he was glad to see it moving forward. “I’m glad that this was something that was part of what they considered to be important to get done before the end of the session,” he said. “But I can’t speak to the specifics of this until we have a chance to review it.”
What’s next:
Public health officials are waiting to see how well-received their advice to stay home for the holidays was. Early indications are that people traveled much more than they have been, but still far less than a typical holiday season. The impact Thanksgiving gatherings may have had on the spread of the virus might not be known for weeks.
PEABODY, PATCH
