Mass. begins reporting ‘probable’ coronavirus cases - The Boston Globe

The state reported Monday that the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts had risen by 189 and that the number of cases had climbed by 3,840.

The large numbers came as state officials announced they had begun including probable as well as confirmed cases in their tallies, noting that not all of the newly-reported cases are recent.

The probable cases came from a review of data dating back to March 1.

The new inclusion of probable data pushed the state’s death tally past 7,000 and the total number of cases past 100,000.

In terms of confirmed numbers, the state reported 48 new fatalities and 326 new cases.

“Probable cases are individuals who have not been tested by the standard viral (molecular) test,” a statement from the Department of Public Health said. “They have either 1) had a positive antibody test and either had COVID symptoms or were likely to be exposed to a positive case or 2) did not have an antibody test but had COVID symptoms and were known to be exposed to a positive case.”.

Meanwhile, key metrics that the state is monitoring for reopening either decreased or stayed stable, according to Monday’s report.

It has dropped 76 percent since April 15, according to state data.

It has dropped 49 percent since April 15.

The number of hospitals using surge capacity also stayed stable at seven Sunday for the third day in a row, a marked drop from early- and mid-May highs of 20, and was down 67 percent since April 15

The three-day average of COVID-19 deaths also dropped from 57 on Thursday to 50 on Friday, down 67 percent since April 15, according to state data