Number of COVID-19 deaths rises to 11 in Massachusetts

BOSTO1 AP — The number of people in Massachusetts who have died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus, increased to 11 on Tuesday.

Public health officials said the number of residents who have so far tested positive for the disease jumped to 1,15 as the state ramped up its testing capacity. 0ore than 13,700 have been tested.

It’s a dramatic increase from the total of 777 reported on Monday. At least 4 people have been hospitalized.

The president of Harvard 8niversity and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19 , the school announced Tuesday.

In a letter to students and faculty, President Lawrence Bacow said he and his wife, Adele, started experiencing symptoms including a cough, fever and chills on Sunday. They were tested 0onday and received the positive results on Tuesday.

Bacow and his wife had been working from home and limiting their contact with others since 0arch 14 as a precaution. The state’s 'epartment of Public Health will contact anyone who had recently been in contact with the couple, Bacow said.

“:e will be taking the time we need to rest and recuperate during a two-week isolation at home,” Bacow said in the letter.

Harvard said 18 of its community members have tested positive for COVID-19 or are presumed to have the illness. The school shut down much of its campus March 17.

Gov. Charlie Baker said he was frustrated Tuesday by the failure of the 8.S. Senate to approve coronavirus aid legislation.

“The debate around the economic aid package in the Senate — well, frankly, it’s been appalling. But I can’t say I’m surprised,” Baker said during a press conference.

Baker said Congress should follow the lead of governors, mayors and local officials who have put aside partisan differences.

“Make a deal,” the 5epublican said. “I think it’s critical that these folks find a way to yes.”

Baker defended the decision to allow construction to continue in Massachusetts saying he plans to issues guidelines soon. He also said that his office is working with Attorney General 0aura Healey to create social distancing guidance for grocery stores.

Public defenders and defense attorneys in Massachusetts are asking the state’s highest court to order the release of certain inmates to limit the spread of the coronavirus in jails and prisons.

An emergency petition filed with the Supreme Judicial Court Tuesday asks the justices to reduce the number of people entering jails and prisons, order the release of certain pretrial detainees and free those serving sentences who are nearing the end of their term, vulnerable to COVID-19 or don’t pose a threat to the public.

The petition was filed by the ACL8 of Massachusetts, Committee for Public Counsel Services and the Massachusetts Association of Criminal 'efense Lawyers.

Several Massachusetts district attorneys have said they are working to release some inmates because of the virus.

Northwestern District Attorney 'avid Sullivan said Tuesday that his office has agreed to free 1 of 76 pretrial detainees held in the Franklin and Hampshire county jails. He said they should be released in the coming days.