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Massachusetts pauses reopening after uptick in coronavirus cases

Gov. Charlie Baker at Boston MedFlight Headquarters on Aug. 4. Photo: David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced Friday that the state's second phase of reopening is "postponed indefinitely" in response to a modest increase in coronavirus cases.

The big picture: The state is reporting more COVID-19 deaths than most others across the U.S. outside of domestic epicenters like California, or previous hotspots including New Jersey and New York, per a New York Times database.

Driving the news: Massachusetts saw over 500 new cases on Tuesday, another 400 infections on Wednesday and over 200 on Thursday, per the COVID Tracking Project.

  • These aren't huge spikes compared to states like Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois or North Carolina, which have all seen daily infection increases reach the thousands since at least July.

Details: Baker announced more restrictions Friday to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, including limiting public and private outdoor gatherings to 50 people and requiring face coverings in groups of at least 10 people from different households.

  • The governor's office said it would close bars "masquerading as restaurants" to slow the spread of the virus.

Go deeper: Massachusetts to fine travelers if they violate COVID-19 restrictions

Go deeper

Oriana Gonzalez
Oct 28, 2020 - World

France imposes lockdown as Macron warns of overwhelming second COVID wave

French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday a second nationwide lockdown starting Friday to contain the coronavirus.

Why it matters: “(France has been) overpowered by a second wave,” Macron said in a national televised address Wednesday, noting the "new wave will be stronger and deadlier," than the first. The announcement comes after the country saw over 36,000 new cases in the last 24 hours.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Sam Baker, Andrew Witherspoon
Oct 29, 2020 - Health

Coronavirus cases are at an all-time high ahead of Election Day

Expand chart
Data: The COVID Tracking Project, state health departments; Map: Andrew Witherspoon, Sara Wise/Axios

In the final week before Election Day, new coronavirus infections have soared to an all-time high — virtually guaranteeing that the pandemic will be the most prominent issue in America as voters prepare to choose the next president.

The big picture: Cases are surging and local hospitals are straining at the very moment that voters are choosing between President Trump, who continues to insist that the pandemic is almost over, and Joe Biden, who has made the crisis a centerpiece of his campaign.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Caitlin Owens, author of Vitals
Oct 29, 2020 - Health

Large coronavirus outbreaks leading to high death rates

Data: The COVID Tracking Project; Chart: Sara Wise/Axios

Many of the states where coronavirus cases have recently skyrocketed are also seeing the highest death rates in the nation, a painful reminder that wherever the virus goes, death eventually follows.

Between the lines: Deaths usually lag behind cases by a few weeks. Given America's record-high case counts, it's reasonable to expect that death rates across the country will continue to rise in tandem.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow

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