Mass. reports 15 newly confirmed virus deaths

Boston — Massachusetts reported 15 newly confirmed coronavirus deaths and more than 400 newly confirmed cases Saturday, pushing the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to more than 8,900 and its confirmed caseload to more than 120,000.

The seven-day weighted average of positive tests was less than 1%. The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

There were more than 320 people reported hospitalized Wednesday because of COVID-19, and nearly 50 in intensive care units.

The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 related deaths at long-term care homes rose to nearly 5,850 or about 64% of all confirmed and probable deaths in Massachusetts attributed to the disease.

Elsewhere in New England:

Rhode Island

Cumberland is pushing back against Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo’s plan to bring every student back to school in person this fall.

On Thursday, the School Committee voted to reopen on Sept. 14 using remote learning and move to a hybrid model on Oct. 13 due to ongoing concerns about the coronavirus.

Raimondo has pressed schools to fully open with inclass learning by Oct. 13.

The vote by Cumberland school officials against fully reopening by Oct. 13 came after they received a report from an air-quality company that had inspected the ventilation systems in eight schools.

School committee members said they wanted to wait until any problems with the ventilation systems were resolved.

Vermont

State health officials in Vermont have received nearly 200 complaints from residents about local businesses failing to follow proper COVID-19 safety protocols, particularly when it comes to face coverings.

The Burlington Free Press reports that nearly 150 of those complaints were related to face masks.

State health officials have encouraged people to reach out to its Food and Lodging Program with concerns about restaurants. That’s separate from the Department of Public Safety’s Executive Order Reporting Tool which also takes reports on restaurants and lodging properties.

In March, Gov. Phil Scott shut down on-premise consumption at restaurants and restricted lodging operations. The state has taken steps in recent months to gradually reopen.

After receiving a complaint, health officials typically contact the business to discuss proper protocols.

New Hampshire

Public health officials in New Hampshire reported Friday that the state had not experienced a death connected to COVID-19 in a week — the longest stretch the state has gone without a COVID-19 death since the beginning of the pandemic in March.

The first New Hampshire death from COVID-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus was recorded on March 23 with the death of a Hillsborough County man.