BOSTON — The number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb at a worrisome pace in Massachusetts as new measures unveiled earlier this week by Gov. Charlie Baker meant to curb the spread are set to take effect Friday.
On Thursday, Massachusetts reported 23 newly confirmed coronavirus deaths and more than 1,760 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19, the highest since the spring when the state was struggling to emerge from the grips of the first wave of the disease.
The new report pushed the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 9,859 and its confirmed caseload to nearly 160,700. The true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick.
Baker’s revised stay-at-home advisory instructs residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The advisory allows certain activities such as going to work, taking a walk and running critical errands.
A new executive order requires the early closure of many businesses and activities each night at 9:30, including requiring restaurants to stop table service and mandating liquor stores to stop selling alcohol. Movie theaters, gyms and casinos must also close at 9:30 p.m.
The Republican also revised the state’s mask mandate to require anyone above the age of 5 to wear a mask in public. An earlier mandate said people should wear a mask in public if they couldn’t socially distance; the new mandate removes the social distancing language.
The changes take effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
Baker also signed an updated order reducing the size limit for gatherings at private residences. Indoor gatherings at private residences are now limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people.
There were nearly 500 people reported hospitalized Thursday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 115 in intensive care units.
The number of probable or confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported in long-term care facilities rose to 6,464.