Quincy and Randolph have also reported deaths caused by coronavirus.
By Fred Hanson
The Patriot Ledger
BRAINTREE — The town experienced its worst day yet in the coronavirus pandemic, reporting the deaths of 13 people on Monday. Along with two deaths announced on Saturday, it brings the total number of deaths from the virus in town to 32.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 103 new deaths on Monday, with a statewide tally of deaths from COVID-19 at 1,809. The number of cases in the state now stands at 39,648, an increase of 1,566 from Sunday.
Quincy has had 5 deaths since Friday for a total of 39. Randolph had one more death for a total of 10 and Holbrook has a total of one death.
Braintree Mayor Charles Kokoros said nearly two-thirds of the town’s 418 cornonavirus cases as of Monday come from the town’s long-term care and rehabilitation centers, a figure that includes all cases without any reduction for patients who have recovered. He said there are 105 cases from John Scott House, 65 from Royal Braintree Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 55 from Alliance Health, 23 from Braintree Healthcare (Encompass) and 20 from Braintree Manor Healthcare.
The Royal Braintree Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said 47 coronavirus cases at the facility have been resolved.
Kokoros said the town’s coronavirus response team as been working with the long-term care facilities since March 13. Through Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, the National Guard was brought in to test residents of the long-term care facilities. State Rep. Mark Cusack, D-Braintree, assisted with communications between the facilities and the state health department while U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch helped obtain personal protective equipment for the facilities through private partners. Local businesses have also donated personal protective equipment.
The mayor said he will continue working with these facilities.
“The staff in our long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, as well as our nursing homes, continues to provide care for the residents while also giving them emotional support and comfort when they cannot see their families. This support is priceless, especially during this difficult time for our community,” Kokoros said.
In its daily update on the pandemic, the Department of Public Health is publishing additional statistics. For the first time, it has has released a county-by-county figures on deaths. There have been 263 deaths in Norfolk County and 134 in Plymouth County. The highest number of deaths is in Middlesex County with 402, followed by Suffolk County which is tied with Norfolk with 263. In 97.5 percent of the deaths, the person had an underlying medical condition. The average age of someone who has died from COVID-10 is 81.
The number of coronavirus cases in Norfolk County is 3,960, up 461 since Friday.
Quincy has 542 cases, up 35 since Friday, with 165 people who have recovered. Weymouth has 338 cases, up 42 since Thursday. Randolph has 306, up 21 since Friday, with 68 people who have recovered. Milton has 118, up 13 from Friday. And Holbrook has 59, up four from Friday, with 18 people listed as recovered.
Plymouth County has 2,976 cases, up 399 since Friday.
The county with the most cases is Middlesex with 9,253, followed by Suffolk with 8,314 and Essex with 5,296.
The number of tests given for coronavirus is now at 169,398, with 7,157 tests added Monday. The state lists the average of a person with COVID-19 is 54.
There are 3,804 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state, with an average age of 68. This includes 123 patients with COVID-19 at South Shore Hospital, with 21 of them in intensive care. Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Milton has 64 COVID-19 patients, 11 in intensive care, and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth has 44 patients, three in intensive care.