The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 2,221 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 infections on Friday and 159 new deaths. The statewide total is now at 34,402 cases and 1,404 deaths.
The state has reported 258 cases in Hampshire County, 173 cases in Franklin County and 2,134 cases in Hampden County. There was one COVID-19 death reported in Hampshire County on Friday, 20 deaths in Hampden County and none in Franklin County.
In the Gazette’s coverage area, Holyoke had the highest number of COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, at 305. Northampton had 59, Amherst 11, Easthampton 26, South Hadley 38, Hadley 15, Belchertown 25, Granby 12, Southampton 19 and Ware 10. All other Hampshire County communities had fewer than 10. The state will update these numbers for cities and towns weekly.
Cooley Dickinson Hospital reported Friday that it was treating nine inpatients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, five of whom were in the intensive care unit.
An additional 73 patients are under investigation for COVID-19 infection, all of whom are outpatients. The hospital has had 180 people test positive to date.
Baystate Health is treating 142 inpatients for confirmed COVID-19 infection across all of its hospitals, including 26 patients in critical care units. Among those hospitalized, 130 are at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. All patients in critical care units are in Springfield.
Ten inpatients are under investigation for COVID-19 infection.
Seventy percent of patients have been discharged or never required hospitalization, according to Baystate Health spokeswoman Shelly Hazlett, and the hospital is in a “plateau” position on the curve.
“This is very good news,” Hazlett said. “We must also remember that COVID-19 will continue to cause illness in our communities for the foreseeable future, even as we continue to be successful in containing the level of ‘surge.’”