COVID-19 cases top 90,000 in Mass.

%OSTO1 AP ² The number of individuals in Massachusetts diagnosed with confirmed cases of COVID-19 surged past 90,000 on Thursday as the state reported more than 1,100 new cases.

The number of confirmed COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the pandemic climbed to more ,1 as another deaths were reported.

There were also continued signs of progress in the daily numbers, with the state reporting having conducted more than half a million tests since the pandemic¶s start.

The number of people currently hospitalized with the disease fell to about , 00 ² down from more than 3, 00 two weeks ago.

The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care also fell to ² down from two weeks ago.

The number of deaths at long-term care facilities stood at 3, ² or about 1 of all COVID-19-related deaths in the state. )ederal Mustice officials have been pressing states including

BAKER-HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Massachusetts is reopening houses of worship as the country battles the spread of the coronavirus, *ov. Charlie %aker said Thursday.

%aker said his decision to shutter houses of worship during the state of emergency ³was the right thing to do, but I hated doing it.´ They have been allowed to restart services this week as long as they practice social distancing.

³The Department of -ustice has made very clear to a number of states that peoples¶ ability to access church and practice their faith is a constitutional Tuestion that they are pushing people at the state level pretty hard on,´ %aker told :*%+ 1ews. ³I couldn¶t ignore that.´

%aker declined to say whether he would support efforts by some in the state Legislature to mail ballots to every registered voter for the fall elections.

³I really haven¶t spent any time thinking about it,´ %aker said. ³People think this is something that needs to happen soon" I mean the elections are a long way away.´

%aker also said he hopes coronavirus cheek swab or nasal swab tests that can be self-administered will be available this summer, which could help the state increase testing.

%aker said he and Lt. *ov. .aryn Polito have been tested once after they had ³conversations at a distance´ with Massachusetts Public Safety Secretary Thomas Turco who later tested positive for the virus. %aker said he and Polito both tested negative.

SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

%oston has distributed nearly million in grants to more than 1,100 small businesses across the city struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The businesses receiving grants through the Small %usiness 5elief )und represent industries most-impacted by closures, policies, or general loss of revenues due to the pandemic, according to a statement Thursday from the office of Mayor Marty :alsh.

:alsh also announced Thursday that the city¶s licensing board has taken steps to remove outdated restrictions to help small businesses and restaurants as part of the COVID-19 reopening process.

CVS TESTING SITES

CVS +ealth is opening 1 new drive-thru coronavirus testing sites at pharmacies across Massachusetts on )riday, the company said.

The new sites will utilize self-swab tests that won¶t reTuire people to leave their vehicles. 1o testing will be done in stores. The tests are done under the supervision of a CVS employee and results are usually available in three days. Preregistration is reTuired.

The 5hode Island-based company plans to open 1,000 sites across the nation by the end of the month.

The sites opening )riday are in Chelsea, )almouth, +averhill, 1ew %edford, Salem, Shrewsbury, Southwick, :altham, :inchendon, :rentham and two in +olbrook.

VIRTUAL GRADUATION-BOSTON

%oston is planning a virtual graduation ceremony for the appro[imately 3,000 students in its graduating class of 0 0.

The ceremony will be broadcast -une 13 from 30 to p.m. on :CV%-TV and will be hosted by Mayor Marty :alsh and school Superintendent %renda Cassellius with former 8nited States Secretary of (ducation -ohn .ing as the keynote speaker. It will also be streamed on :CV%¶s website.

Valedictorians from all 3 city high schools will participate and students have also been asked to submit photos and videos of their high school e[perience.

:alsh said the COVID-19 pandemic won¶t prevent the city from celebrating graduating seniors.

ORPHANED TORTOISE

A 3-year-old tortoise is up for adoption after her owner died from COVID-19

Officials at MSPCA-Angell said the tortoise -Ms. -ennifer -- is possibly the oldest animal ever to be offered for adoption.

A spokesman for the shelter said the tortoise is the 10th animal to be given to the shelter due to the pandemic.

Tortoises can live up to 100 years, +alpin said. Ms. -ennifer is four pounds and about the size of a large dinner plate. Officials said she was well cared for by her former owner, who lived in :altham.