Massachusetts Moving Back To Phase 3 Step 1 Amid COVID-19 Case Surge

Governor Charlie Baker announced Massachusetts will be returning to Phase 3 Step 1 beginning on Sunday, December 13, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases since Thanksgiving weekend.

“Here we are today, 12 days past Thanksgiving, and new infections and hospitalizations are showing disturbing trends,” Baker said in a press conference on Tuesday (December 8) via CBS Boston.

The transition back into Phase 3 Step 1 will close certain businesses including indoor performance and high contact indoor recreational facilities, as well as limit most other open businesses to 40% capacity and restaurants to six individuals per table.

Outdoor gatherings at event venues will also be reduced from 100 to 50 individuals permitted. Individuals who intend to host private outdoor gatherings exceeding 25 guests will need to notify their local board of health for approval.

Restaurant patrons will also need to wear masks at all times indoors unless eating or drinking, which means they will need to be masked while telling a server their order.

“Don’t go to a friend or a neighbor’s house without a mask on, and share food and drink, just because they’re your friend,” Baker said.

Gov. Baker said COVID-19 related hospitalizations have increased by about 150% and confirmed cases of individuals in the ICU have risen by 110% during the past four weeks, CBS Boston reports. A total of 11 hospitals statewide have reported less than 10% of adult inpatient beds are currently available as the demand continues to grow.

“The days of most people doing most of the right things are probably not enough,” Baker said. “Significantly more people are suffering from severe COVID related illnesses… and this sharp increase is putting a strain on our healthcare system and our frontline health care workers.”

The Massachusetts Health Department confirmed 1,516 individuals are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 related illnesses, which included 100 more hospitalized since Sunday.

Governor Baker announced Massachusetts Monday (December 7) hospitals will curtail some elective procedures beginning this week in an effort to open hospital beds as the state is currently seeing a "rapid increase" of COVID-19 cases since Thanksgiving.

“Effective Friday, hospitals will curtail elective procedures that can be safely postponed,” Baker said during a news conference at the State House on Monday (December 7) via WHDH. “This action will free up necessary staffing and beds…We can’t afford to continue straining the hospital system at this rate.”

The curtailment will be limited to elective procedures that are considered inpatient treatments and procedures that impact inpatient capacity, but outpatient procedures, including mammograms, colonoscopies and pediatric services, will remain open to the public, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders confirmed via WHDH.

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