6/5/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates

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On June 5th, Governor Baker gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on Testing, Hospitalizations, Reopening, and Lab Central.

Here is the summary.

Testing

  • At this point, there have been over 600,000 tests conducted in MA.

    • The positive test rate average is down 80% since the middle of April.

Hospitalizations

  • As of yesterday, there were about 1,659 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19.

    • The hospitalization rate has also dramatically decreased since April. 

Reopening

  • Tomorrow, the Administration will announce when Phase II will begin based on public health data. 

  • Please visit mass.gov/reopening to view detailed standards, protocols, and best practices for specific sectors that go beyond the mandatory safety standards that are required for all businesses and employers.

Lab Central

  • The Governor gave his press conference at Lab Central today and was able to experience the safety procedures and guidance they have put forward for their staff.

  • Lab Central has served as a launch pad for high potential life science and biotech startups in MA. 

    • Lab Central has supported over 126 companies.

    • In the last six years, Lab Central has added 2,400 new jobs to the MA economy. 

    • Lab Central has implemented new protocols for social distancing, hygiene, staffing, operations and cleaning. They encourage working from home by giving membership rebates, mandating face coverings, implementing extra cleaning, staggering shifts, and reconfiguring the workplace to promote social distancing.

  • The Governor spotlighted E25Bio which is a company that works to predict outbreaks around the world and helps control these using unique and affordable testing solutions.

    • Using their viral platform for mobile rapid detection of other viruses, they have begun to manufacture a COVID-19 spike rapid test.