NORTHAMPTON — On the Memorial Day holiday, 44 new deaths in Massachusetts are being attributed to COVID-19, and 596 new cases are being reported, based on information from the state Department of Public Health.
The latest statistics bring deaths across the state during the pandemic to 6,416 and confirmed cases to 93,271.
But the numbers continue a downward trend based on three-day averages. The month of May began with an average of 159 deaths for the three-day period, and has declined by 58% to 67 deaths for the three-day period as of May 22.
On Saturday there were 76 new coronavirus deaths reported, and 68 new deaths were reported Sunday.
Hampshire County has 834 cases of COVID-19, according to the official tally.
The 596 new cases on Monday came out of 8,188 new tests, for a 7.3% positive rate. At the beginning of May, 16.6% of all tests were positive for COVID-19.
There is also a downward trend in those hospitalized with COVID-19, with 2,132 currently in hospitals, of whom 576 are in intensive care units.
Locally, Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton has 11 people hospitalized with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, three of whom are in intensive care.
In the Baystate system, including Baystate Franklin in Greenfield and Baystate Medical in Springfield, there are 81 individuals suspected or confirmed with COVID-19, 18 of whom are in ICU.
The average age of those diagnosed with COVID-19 in Massachusetts is 52, the average age of those hospitalized is 68 and the average age of those who have died from the illness is 82.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
