Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts

The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts.

2020

February

Marriott Long Wharf hotel in Boston, the site of the Biogen company meeting to which most early COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts were traced.

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed by state health officials on February 1. Massachusetts became the fifth state in the U.S. to report a case of COVID-19.[1] The individual, a University of Massachusetts Boston student, had returned to Boston from Wuhan, China. Upon returning to Boston he began experiencing symptoms and sought medical care.[2][3]

175 executives of Biogen, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, held a two-day leadership conference from February 26–28 at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel.[4] On February 29, a Biogen executive began to develop symptoms and sought treatment at a Boston area hospital. Suspecting COVID-19 was the cause of the illness, the executive requested a test, but was told by hospital staff that it was not necessary.[4][5][6]

March 1–7

Empty shelves in the Waltham Costco on March 2 after a weekend of heavy buying.

On March 2, the second confirmed case in Massachusetts was reported. The patient was a woman in her 20s from Norfolk County. She had recently traveled to Italy with a school group from Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She was the third person from the trip to test positive, with two people from Rhode Island who had gone on the trip also testing positive.[7]

On March 4, staff from Biogen contacted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to report that two executives who had recently traveled from Europe to Boston and had attended the February employee meeting had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 upon returning home. The same day, a "significant number" of Biogen employees asked to be tested for the virus at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), which had not been informed that anyone at the company had been exposed. The state police announced Shattuck Street would be closed because a group of 60 individuals were being transported along the route to Brigham and Women's Hospital.[8] On March 5, Biogen reported that three individuals who had attended the company event in Boston the previous week had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.[9][10]

On March 6, public health officials reported five new cases bringing the state total to eight.[11][12] Four cases were in Suffolk County, three in Norfolk County, and one in Middlesex County. Two cases were associated with travel to Italy and one to Wuhan. All five new cases were associated with the Biogen meeting.[13][14][15]

On March 7, five more presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 were reported, bringing the total to 13.[16] Among those cases was the index case in Berkshire County, a man in his 60s from Clarksburg whose infection could not be traced.[17]

March 8–14

On March 8, the MDPH reported 15 more presumptive cases of COVID-19,[15] all of which were individuals present at the Biogen conference,[13] bringing the total to 28.[11] In response to the outbreak, Biogen ordered all its employees to work from home.[18] The fifteen new presumptive cases included five from Suffolk County, five from Middlesex County, four from Norfolk County, and one whose county of residence was unknown.[19] Officials in North Carolina reported that five residents of Wake County tested positive for COVID-19; all five were participants in the previous week's Biogen meeting in Boston.[20]

Items out of stock at a CVS Pharmacy in Westford, March 10, 2020.

On March 10, the first evidence of community transmission, also known as community spread, was found in a handful of cases in the Berkshires.[21] A man in Sudbury tested presumptive positive for COVID-19,[22] and the first case in Essex County was also reported.[23]

On March 12, there were 108 people in Massachusetts with confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19. Among those cases, 82 (75% of the total) were associates or employees of Biogen.[24] Governor Baker said the state had tested more than 200 patients and had the capacity to test up to 5,000.[25] The Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel, which had hosted the Biogen company gathering, closed temporarily. In a letter to their guests, the hotel said it made the decision in cooperation with the Boston Public Health Commission.[26][27] Acton-Boxborough announced school closures from March 13 until March 20.[28]

On March 13, the Boston Marathon was postponed from April 20 until September 14.[29] A few hours later, Governor Baker prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people. The measure was targeted at large events and exempted most workplaces, transit buildings, polling locations, government buildings, and schools.[30] Cardinal O'Malley, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, announced that all daily and Sunday masses and other religious services would be suspended in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice.[31] Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced that Boston Public Schools would be closed starting on March 17 until April 27.[32] Woburn announced that a presumptive positive case in the city had been confirmed as negative.[33]

On March 14, Cape Cod (Barnstable County) confirmed its first case,[34][35] a man in his 60s from Sandwich.[36] Officials in Worcester and Malden both announced their respective cities' first confirmed case of COVID-19, both linked to Biogen.[37][38][39] Of the state's 138 cases, 104 (75%) could be traced to employees or contacts of Biogen.[11]

A 59-year-old Worcester man died on a flight from Dubai to Boston, sparking speculation that he had died from COVID-19.[40] He had been sick with gastrointestinal problems and was in cardiac arrest during the flight. On March 16, Massachusetts State Police said an autopsy revealed he did not have COVID-19.[41]

March 15–21

On March 15, Baker ordered all public and private schools in Massachusetts to close for three weeks, from March 17 through April 7. The same day, he also banned eating at restaurants, banned gatherings of more than 25 people, relaxed unemployment claim requirements, and enacted other interventions to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.[42] Hampden and Plymouth counties had their first cases.[11] Plymouth County's first case, in Hanover, resulted from travel.[43] Hampden County's first case tested positive at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield; the hospital noted an additional 23 suspected cases.[44]

Digital signs in a MBTA subway station displaying reduced hours and cancelled service.

On March 16, Brockton announced its first case, and the mayor declared a state of emergency for the city.[45] Boston Mayor Marty Walsh ordered construction projects to shut down by March 23, maintaining only minimal staff for security. He also announced that all branches of the Boston Public Library would close beginning that night.[46] The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced that, starting March 17, it would run the subway and buses at Saturday levels of service during the week, with express buses still running, ferries not running, and commuter rail running on a modified schedule.[47] The next day, service was increased on the Blue Line, Green Line E branch (which serves Longwood Medical Area), and some bus lines to reduce crowding. Frequency on Massport shuttles to Logan International Airport was reduced or canceled.[48]

The number of hospitalized patients with suspected or known infections quadrupled to 53 between March 16 and 17. Major hospitals began reusing protective gear or asking the public for donations of masks.[49]

The number of cases where initial exposure was under investigation began to rise rapidly, whereas cases tracked to Biogen attendees and household contacts continued an overall mild decline.[note 1] On March 19, Governor Baker activated up to 2,000 Massachusetts National Guard to assist in the management of the pandemic.[50] The number of cases increased by 72, putting the total at 328, with 119 in Middlesex County.[51] Franklin and Hampshire counties – both in Western Massachusetts and the last non-island counties – had their first confirmed cases of COVID-19.[11]

On March 20, Massachusetts experienced its first death due to COVID-19. The fatality was an 87-year-old man from Suffolk County, who was hospitalized and who had preexisting health conditions.[52][53] Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County had its first case, a 50-year-old man in Tisbury.[54][55] This was the thirteenth of 14 counties in Massachusetts to report a case of COVID-19.[56] The cities of Somerville and Cambridge closed non-essential businesses.[57][58]

Social distancing in a Trader Joe's line in Cambridgeport, Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 21, 2020.

Closed picnic area at the Natick Service Plaza.

Governor Baker announced that 5,207 people had been tested for COVID-19 in Massachusetts through state and commercial laboratories.[59] That night the state announced its second death due to COVID-19, a woman from Middlesex County in her 50s who had a preexisting health condition.[60][61] Nantucket County, the last county to have no cases of the virus, reported its first COVID-19 case.[62] In order to reduce contact between drivers and customers, the MBTA began rear-door boarding on above-ground stops for buses, the Green Line, and the Mattapan Trolley, except for passengers with disabilities who need to use the front door.[63]

March 22–31

On March 22, Nantucket issued a shelter-in-place order, to start March 23 and end on April 6. Exceptions were made for essential services to remain open.[64] Governor Baker instructed people in mainland Massachusetts with second homes in Nantucket and Dukes County to stay on the mainland.[65] Three new deaths were reported by Massachusetts DPH, two men, both in their 70s, from Hampden and Berkshire counties, and a man in his 90s from Suffolk County.[note 2][66]

On March 23, Governor Baker announced a stay-at-home advisory effective from noon March 24 until noon April 7. Nonessential businesses were ordered to close physical workplaces, and restaurants and bars were restricted to offering takeout and delivery. People were told they could go out to obtain essential goods and services, such as groceries and medicine, but should follow social distancing protocols.[67]

On March 24, the number of cases jumped by 382 to 1,159, with two new deaths attributed to COVID-19.[note 3] This unusually large jump in cases (49%, versus 20–28% in the previous five days) was attributable to Quest Diagnostics processing 3,843 tests in one day, yielding 267 of the state's 382 new positive results.[11]

On March 25, the Commissioner of Public Health issued emergency regulations for grocery stores and pharmacies, requiring them to designate a daily shopping hour for senior citizens and provide checkout line distancing markers, hand washing and sanitizer for employees, disinfecting wipes for customers to use on carts. A ban on reusable bags became mandatory, overriding local bans on single-use plastic bags and eliminating fees for store-provided bags. Self-service food stations were ordered to be closed, and regular sanitization was required.[68]

On March 27, the state extended the tax filing deadline to July 15 and announced new travel guidelines.[69][70][71] State officials announced that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner, Monica Bharel, had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; she had mild symptoms and planned to recover at home.[72]

On March 30, the state announced that it had conducted almost 43,000 tests of Massachusetts residents, with Quest Diagnostics having conducted 21,321 (almost half) of the total tests administered.[note 4] Later that evening, the MBTA announced that 18 transit workers had tested positive for the virus.[73] In addition, the Boston Police Department confirmed that 19 officers and three civilian employees had all tested positive.[74]

April 1–7

The Archdiocese of Boston announced that eight priests had tested positive for the disease.[75] On April 2 Boston Mayor Walsh announced plans to convert the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) into a field hospital, later named Boston Hope, with 500 beds assigned to the homeless and 500 to accept COVID-19 patients from city hospitals.[76]

On April 2, more than 500 healthcare workers in Boston hospitals were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.[77][78][79]

Closed playground in Salem on April 4, 2020.

On April 5, Boston Mayor Walsh announced a voluntary city-wide curfew for non-emergency workers in Boston from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.,[80] and asked all Bostonians to wear face coverings in public.[81]

April 8–14

On April 9, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published a preliminary study of sewage samples taken in the Boston area on March 25, in an effort to determine the extent of COVID-19 infections. Based on concentrations of the virus found in the samples, the study suggested that approximately 115,000 of the Boston region's 2.3 million people were infected. At the time of sampling, Massachusetts had only 646 confirmed cases in the area.[82][83]

Starting the evening of Friday April 10, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation closed some parkways to vehicle traffic to allow recreational pedestrians to spread out, and reduced parking availability at some state parks. The city of Boston also reduced parking near the Arnold Arboretum.[84] The Massachusetts Education Commissioner canceled MCAS standardized tests for the first time, taking advantage of a federal waiver.[85]

On April 12, there were 25,475 total cases, with 2,615 new cases, making Massachusetts the state with the third-most cases in the United States, behind only New York and New Jersey.[note 5] Massachusetts officials warned of ebb and flow of the spread of COVID-19.[86]

April 15–21

On April 15, the Massachusetts DPH announced a plan to release town-by-town infection rates. This was a reversal from the earlier policy of discouraging the release of town-specific information concerning the number of infected in each particular community.[87]

On April 18, Baker announced that a third field hospital has opened in Cape Cod.[88]

On April 20, Governor Baker signed a law banning residential and small business evictions and foreclosures on homeowners (other than emergencies), for four months or until the state of emergency is ended.[89] As of July 21, the moratorium expires on October 17, 2020.[90]

On April 21, Governor Baker announced that Massachusetts schools would not return to in-person learning for the remainder of the academic year. He also extended through June 29 a previous order to close non-emergency childcare services.[91]

April 22–30

On April 22, former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts announced that her oldest brother had died from COVID-19 in Oklahoma.[92]

On April 24, Governor Baker announced that while COVID-19 cases and testing were up in Massachusetts, hospitalizations have started to decrease and reached the lowest point since early April.[93] Massachusetts recorded 4,946 new cases partially due to an error by Quest Diagnostics in missing more than 10,000 test results, both positive and negative, recorded in April 24 data.[note 6]

On April 25, Governor Baker addressed the topic of when stay-at-home measures and closures of non-essential businesses would end. When restrictions were originally announced in mid-March, they were slated to end at noon on April 7; later their projected end date was pushed to May 4. Baker said it was unlikely restrictions would be lifted by then because the surge of cases had hit later than expected – May 4 presumed a surge in early April. Baker said the process of reopening will begin when hospitalizations start to decline consistently, and when there is "some evidence that we are in fact over the hump ... with respect to the surge."[94]

On April 28, Governor Baker extended the statewide stay-at-home advisory by two weeks, to May 18. He also said that once the advisory expires, the process of reopening will begin in stages, and not happen all at once.[95]

Also on April 28, it was reported that at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, at least 68 veterans – nearly 30 percent of the home's residents – had died of COVID-19 in what is believed to be the deadliest outbreak at a long-term care facility in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.[96]

May 1–7

On May 1, Governor Baker issued an order, effective May 6, to require people to cover their faces in public when in situations where they are unable to keep six feet away from others.[97]

On May 4, a group of several hundred anti-lockdown protesters gathered outside the Massachusetts State House to urge Governor Baker to lift the state's stay-at-home advisory and reopen businesses.[98] Organizers had planned to hold the protest, named the "Liberty Rally", if businesses were not reopened by May 1. The event was promoted by conservative talk radio host Jeffrey Kuhner and Super Happy Fun America, the group responsible for organizing the controversial 2019 Boston Straight Pride Parade.[99]

May 8–14

On May 8, Boston Mayor Walsh announced that parades and festivals would not take place in Boston at least until Labor Day (September 7).[100]

On May 11, Governor Baker announced a four-phased plan to reopen the state. In phase one, a small number of industries that do not involve much face-to-face interaction will be allowed to return to operating, with strict restrictions in place. In phase two, more industries will be allowed to open, with restrictions including limits on the number of people allowed to gather in one place. In phase three, more industries will open, with guidance on how to operate safely. Phase four is set to occur if a vaccine or therapy is developed allowing restrictions to be loosened. The state also published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards to be followed by industries that will open as a part of phase one. These standards include requirements for social distancing, hygiene, staffing policies, and cleaning and disinfecting.[101]

May 15–21

On May 18, Governor Baker released the details of the plan to reopen businesses in Massachusetts, and renamed the stay-at-home advisory to a "safer at home" advisory. The plan allows places of worship, essential businesses, manufacturing businesses, and construction sites to reopen with strict restrictions on May 18. Also as of May 18, hospitals and health centers may begin providing urgent preventative care and treatment services to high-risk patients. Baker also announced that people who choose to ride the MBTA will be required to wear masks. Beginning on May 25, additional businesses will be able to open, also with restrictions. Although Baker's plan includes office buildings in the list of businesses allowed to open on May 25, offices within Boston will not be allowed to open until June 1.[102]

May 22–31

On May 26, Baker said in a press conference that the surge in COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts is over, as evidenced by declining numbers of people hospitalized by the disease. He announced that the Boston Hope field hospital, located in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, would no longer be accepting new patients. The facility has treated more than 700 people with COVID-19, and has also provided shelter to some of Boston's homeless community. Baker also said that other field hospitals around the state would begin to close.[103] Baker also announced $6 million in grants to go to small businesses to help them purchase protective equipment and implement the safety precautions indicated in the reopening plan.[104]

The Boston Athletic Association announced on May 28 that the 2020 Boston Marathon, which had already been postponed to September, would be canceled.[105]

June

On June 1, Massachusetts began reporting probable cases of and deaths due to COVID-19 in their data, when previously they had only been reporting confirmed cases and deaths. This change follows guidance from the U.S. CDC. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a statement that probable cases are recorded for people who "have either 1) had a positive antibody test and either had COVID symptoms or were likely to be exposed to a positive case or 2) did not have an antibody test but had COVID symptoms and were known to be exposed to a positive case." Probable deaths are defined as deaths where COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate as the cause of death, but where no test was administered. Due to these changes in reporting, Massachusetts became the 5th state in the U.S. to report over 100,000 cases of the contagious disease.[106]

On June 3, Massachusetts began reporting recoveries in their weekly data report. Previously, they had not been reporting the number of cumulative recoveries in their data. A patient is considered to be recovered if they have either been sick for 21 days or 21 days have passed since they tested positive.[107]

Governor Baker announced on June 6 that Massachusetts would begin entering phase two of the reopening plan starting on Monday, June 8, following positive trends in access to testing and decreasing hospitalizations. The first portion of the phase will allow childcare, day camps, lodging retail stores, outdoor seating at restaurants, and children's sports programs to reopen with strict precautions. Additional services, including indoor dining and nail and tanning salons, will be allowed to reopen at an unspecified later date as a part of phase two if the positive trends in COVID-19 cases continue.[108]

Boston entered phase two of their reopening plan on June 8.[108]

Amid ongoing protests over the May killing of George Floyd, Governor Baker announced pop-up testing sites would open throughout the state on June 17 and 18 to provide free tests to protesters and anyone else who wished to be tested.[109] During the period 11–17 June, Worcester county had the second highest number of deaths in the state with 39.[11]

On June 22, WBUR reported that Massachusetts had become the state with the lowest COVID-19 transmission rate in the country. The June 22 R_t, a value measuring the average rate of transmission of a virus at a point in time, was 0.67 in Massachusetts. According to rt.live, the website calculating the values, an R_t value of 1.0 or above is considered to signify "rapid spread".[110]

The June unemployment rate was later calculated at 17.4%, a record high and the worst of any U.S. state at the time.[111]

July

On July 2, Governor Baker announced that Massachusetts would enter the first stage of phase three of its reopening plan starting on Monday, July 6. Phase three allows companies including gyms, casinos, and museums to open with safety precautions. Boston will delay entering phase three until July 13.[112]

Governor Baker announced on July 8 that free testing centers would open in eight communities that are seeing high viral spread: Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough, and New Bedford. These areas are experiencing considerably higher positive test rates than the state average, and the testing rate has been growing lower.[113]

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference announced on July 16 that it was suspending the fall 2020 sports season. Applying to both indoor and outdoor sports, the decision impacts Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University, and Worcester State University, as well as other universities which are affiliate members of the conference for football or golf.[114]

To improve revenues for restaurants with liquor licenses, Governor Baker signed a law on July 21 allowing restaurants to serve cocktails to go in sealed containers until at least February.[115] Also on July 21, Baker extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures in the state through October 17, 2020.[116][117]

The MBTA resumed collecting fares and requiring front-door boarding on buses and trolleys on July 20, having installed plexiglass shields for drivers.[118]

Towards the end of the month, Massachusetts began to experience a slight reversal in what had previously been positive trends in case data. Governor Baker blamed "disturbing reports of large gatherings" on the uptick in cases, a trend he described as attributable to people not following guidelines rather than a result of moving forward in the state's reopening plan.[119] On July 26, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society Dr. David Rosman tweeted, "Pay attention #Massachusetts — #COVID19 is on the rise. The numbers show it. The anecdotes show it." Rosman is among a group of people who have pushed Baker to pause the reopening plan, or move back from stage three to stage two, if case data continues to show a negative trend.[120] The city of Somerville, which was the only city or town in Massachusetts that had not entered phase three of the reopening plan by the end of July, announced on July 31 that they would be further delaying entering the third phase. Officials said they had based the decision on concerns about case trends, issues with testing and contact tracing, and the possibility of another surge in cases.[121]

August

Beginning on August 1, visitors and Massachusetts residents returning from out of state need to fill out a form and quarantine for two weeks, unless they are coming from an exempt state or have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 72 hours. State exemptions are based on a threshold for rolling averages of daily cases and positive test rates; individuals can also be exempted if they are commuting for work, coming to the state for medical treatment, following military orders, or traveling to work in federally-identified critical sectors.[122]

Governor Baker announced on August 7 that Massachusetts would postpone entering the second portion of phase three of the state's reopening plan, intensify enforcement of COVID-19 regulation violations, and reduce the limit on the number of people allowed at public and private outdoors events from 100 to 50. The changes were announced after several incidents in which large parties were found to be violating the state guidelines on the numbers of people allowed to gather, as well as on masks and physical distancing.[123]

Massachusetts school districts were required to submit their final plans for teaching in the fall, along with detailed safety protocols, by August 14.[124] As of August 14, at least 32 of Massachusetts' 289 school districts had announced they would be teaching completely remotely to start the school year.[125] Boston Public Schools announced on August 13 they had requested a waiver to delay the start of the school year from September 10 to September 21, saying they planned to use the time to provide training to staff.[126] On August 21, after several weeks of pressure from the Boston Teacher's Union and other Massachusetts unions, BPS announced they would begin the school year remotely, with classes returning to in-person learning based on need beginning in October.[127]

Some colleges in Massachusetts began moving students in to dorms in mid-August. As of August 16, students were beginning to move in to on-campus housing at Boston University in Boston and Clark University in Worcester.[128]

On August 19, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that all children aged six months and older would need to receive a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 in order to attend childcare, K–12 schools, and colleges and universities in the state. There is an allowance for medical or religious exemptions, and homeschooled K–12 students or higher education students who are not going on campus will not be required to receive the vaccination.[129] This spurred some protests, including a rally of several hundred outside the State House on August 30, from parents and those who believed the decision was governmental overreach.[130]

In the Andover School District, which said it would start the year using a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning, teachers said they would only work remotely due to safety concerns. The Andover School Committee described the teachers' decision an "illegal work stoppage".[131] When 45% of the members of the Andover Education Association refused to enter the building on August 31 for training, the Andover School Committee voted to take legal action against the educators. The teachers said they would "reluctantly" and "under duress" return to work, with the "hope that the School Committee will begin to negotiate reasonable health and safety benchmarks with us in good faith."[132]

September

On September 3, Governor Baker announced a community messaging campaign targeted towards Chelsea, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, and Revere: communities that were still experiencing very high rates of COVID-19.[133]

By early September, some Massachusetts universities had received media attention when students disregarded social distancing rules imposed by the schools. In mid-August, more than 20 College of the Holy Cross students tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after partying off-campus in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school said the students who organized the party would be punished for breaking an agreement they had made before returning to school.[134] Northeastern University announced on September 4 that they had dismissed eleven students caught violating social distancing rules within a day or two of many students moving in. Northeastern reported they would not be reimbursing the students' tuition or housing payments.[135] Later in September, Middlebury College barred 22 students from campus for not following the campus COVID guidelines.[136] Following seventeen cases of COVID-19 in one dorm, Merrimack College quarantined all 266 residents of the dorm.[137]

On September 29, Governor Baker announced that communities classified by the state as "lower risk" would be allowed to move into step two of the third phase of the state's reopening plan beginning on October 5. This step includes allowing both indoor and outdoor performance venues to open at 50% capacity (up to 250 people); fitting rooms to open in retail stores; and gyms, museums, libraries, and driving and flight schools to increase capacity to 50%.[138] The Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity criticized Baker's choice to continue reopening the state, citing concerns over increasing cases and positive test rates.[139]

October

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced on October 2 that they would begin providing weekly reports on the number of COVID-19 cases detected in schools. In the first report, covering the period from September 24 to September 30, 63 cases were found among students and 34 among staff. Student cases were spread across 41 districts, with Plymouth having the highest number with four cases reported.[140]

The Massachusetts Department of Health reported in early October that there had been outbreaks of COVID-19 at a substance abuse treatment center in Plymouth, as well as an outbreak at a correctional center in Middleton. Almost a third of the patient population of the Plymouth treatment facility tested positive, as did a dozen staff.[141]

On October 7, Boston Mayor Walsh announced that plans to allow additional students in the Boston Public School system to return to fully in-person or hybrid learning models would be further delayed after Boston's coronavirus positivity rate exceeded 4%.[142] Also on October 7, Governor Baker announced his administration would be forming an advisory group to consult on plans to distribute a vaccine in Massachusetts when one is developed.[143]

On October 13, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders announced at a press conference that they would be extending through December the "Stop the Spread" initiative, which provides free testing to high-risk communities.[144]

On October 22, the Baker administration announced a $774 million plan to bolster economic recovery among businesses in the state.[145] The same day, the Department of Public Health announced that for two weeks they would no longer be allowing indoor ice rinks to operate, following clusters of COVID-19 at various rinks throughout the state connected to indoor ice hockey.[146]

The Boston Globe reported on October 26 that coronavirus cases in the state had risen sharply on October 22 and "have been maintaining levels we haven't seen in months".[147] The previous day, the Globe reported that the state had acknowledged not knowing the source of infection in approximately half of the known cases in the state, raising concerns with the state's ability to identify and quickly reduce the impact of pockets of infection.[148] Thirteen communities in Massachusetts returned to step 1 of phase 3 of the state's reopening plan after spending three weeks in the "high risk" designation, including Brockton, Malden, Waltham, and Woburn.[149]

November

On November 2, Governor Baker announced a statewide curfew for businesses, a tighter limit on the number of people allowed to gather indoors, and stricter face mask requirements. The curfew requires some businesses such as theaters and casinos to close at 9:30 pm, and requires restaurants to stop providing table service at that same time. Baker also implemented a stay-at-home advisory, to begin on November 6, to encourage people to stay home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.[150]

In a press conference on November 12, Boston Mayor Walsh warned that if Boston sees similar surges in cases as are occurring in Tennessee and elsewhere in the country, "we're going to have to shut everything down again. The first one was bad on business. I think the second one will be far worse."[151]

December

On December 3, Massachusetts' average positive COVID-19 test rate exceeded 4.9% for the first time since June.[152] Total daily case numbers in the first few days of December began to surpass those seen at the April peak of the first wave of COVID-19 in the state.[105] On December 8, Governor Baker announced that all cities and towns in Massachusetts would be required to roll back to Phase 3, Step 1 of the state's reopening plan.[153]

On December 9, Baker announced an estimated timeline for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine.[122] The first doses of the vaccine arrived in Massachusetts on December 14.[154]

2021

January

Governor Baker announced on January 4, 2021 that first responders would begin to receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on January 11.[155] The following day, Baker warned that it was likely that the highly contagious variant of COVID-19 first discovered in the United Kingdom had made its way to Massachusetts, and urged state residents to "be very vigilant and careful and cautious about [their] physical engagement with other people".[156]

February

On February 1, Massachusetts entered phase two of its vaccine program, making residents 75 years of age and older eligible for the vaccine. A mass vaccination site opened at Boston's Fenway Park on the same day; it is one of two such sites operating in the state, along with one at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.[157]

Notes

1. "MDPH 3/18". Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
2. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in MA as of March 22, 2020". Massachusetts Department of Public Health. March 22, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
3. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in MA as of March 24, 2020". Massachusetts Department of Public Health. March 24, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
4. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in MA as of March 30, 2020". Massachusetts Department of Public Health. March 30, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
5. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in MA as of April 12, 2020". Massachusetts Department of Public Health. April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
6. "COVID-19 Dashboard – April 24, 2020". Massachusetts Department of Public Health. April 24, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.

References

1. Burke, Minyvonne (February 1, 2020). "Coronavirus case in Boston is 1st in Massachusetts; 8th in the U.S." NBC News. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
2. Wertheim, Sydney (February 1, 2020). "Boston Man Has Coronavirus, Mass. Health Officials Confirm". WBUR-FM. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
3. Adam, Reilly (April 8, 2020). "Boston Braces For 'The Surge'". WGBH. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
4. Arsenault, Mark; Rosen, Andy; Krueger, Hanna; Lazar, Kay; Saltzman, Jonathan; Kowalczyk, Liz (March 10, 2020). "How the Biogen leadership conference in Boston spread the coronavirus". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
5. Goldberg, Carey (March 12, 2020). "Single Conference Linked To Most Mass. Coronavirus Cases Looks Like A 'Superspreading Event'". WBUR-FM.
6. Marcelo, Philip; O'Brien, Matt (March 11, 2020). "Biogen Meeting Tied to Coronavirus Cases Serves as Warning". NBC Boston.
7. "2nd Person Believed To Have New Coronavirus in Mass.; Traveled With R.I. Students". The Associated Press. March 2, 2020 – via WBUR-FM.
8. Cotter, Sean Philip (March 9, 2020). "Coronavirus in Boston: 60 head to Brigham and Women's Hospital for testing". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
9. Fortier, Marc; Rosenfield, Marc (March 6, 2020). "3 Who Attended Biogen Meeting in Boston Test Positive for Coronavirus". NBC Boston. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
10. Fortier, Marc (March 5, 2020). "3 Who Attended Biogen Meeting in Boston Test Positive for Coronavirus". WBTS. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
11. "COVID-19 Response Reporting". Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
12. Fortier, Marc (March 11, 2020). "Coronavirus Cases Linked to Biogen Boston Meeting: What We Know". NBC Boston. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
13. "Boston closes Eliot School as number of COVID-19 cases in Mass. rise". Boston 25 News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
14. "Workers who attended Boston Biogen meeting test positive for coronavirus". WCVB. March 6, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
15. Sheridan, Kate; Feuerstein, Adam; Herper, Matthew (March 6, 2020). "Top Biogen execs were at meeting where attendees had Covid-19". STAT. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
16. "Coronavirus Cases in Massachusetts Rise To 12 Presumptive, 1 Confirmed". CBS Boston. March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
17. "Berkshire County is now being considered the big question mark when it comes to coronavirus in Massachusetts". WHDH. March 11, 2020.
18. Linnane, Ciara (March 9, 2020). "Biogen orders employees to work from home after employees at Boston meeting test positive for coronavirus". MarketWatch. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
19. "Mass. announces 15 new presumptive coronavirus cases; all connected to Biogen conference". WCVB. March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
20. Brown, Joell (March 9, 2020). "5 Wake County residents test positive for coronavirus after attending Biogen conference connected to 2 dozen cases". ABC 11. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
21. Murphy, Matt; Young, Colin A. (March 10, 2020). "[UPDATE] With gov's state of emergency declaration, MA adopts new coronavirus strategy". South Coast Today. State House News Service. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
22. McNamara, Neal (March 10, 2020). "Sudbury Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus". Sudbury, MA Patch. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
23. Wade, Christian M. (March 10, 2020). "Baker: 'Important to start taking more aggressive actions'". Eagle Tribune.
24. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in MA as of March 12, 2020" (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Public Health. March 12, 2020. Archived from the original on March 13, 2020.
25. Becker, Deborah (March 12, 2020). "State: Massachusetts Has Tested More Than 200 People For Coronavirus". CommonHealth. WBUR-FM. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
26. Goldberg, Carey (March 12, 2020). "Single Conference Linked To Most Mass. Coronavirus Cases Looks Like A 'Superspreading Event'". CommonHealth. WBUR-FM. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
27. Borchers, Callum (March 12, 2020). "Hotel That Hosted Biogen Gathering Tied To Coronavirus Outbreak Will Close Temporarily". Bostonomix. WBUR-FM. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
28. Acton-Boxborough Regional School District [@ABschools] (March 12, 2020). "AB Schools will be closed 3/13 – 3/20. See letter below for complete details. We are experiencing issues with our mass messaging system and are requesting this be shared" (Tweet). Retrieved March 13, 2020 – via Twitter.
29. Ruckstuhl, Laney (March 13, 2020). "In A First, Boston Marathon Is Officially Postponed Until September". WBUR-FM. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
30. Mitchell, Jack (March 13, 2020). "Baker Bans All Gatherings Of 250 Or More People in Mass". WBUR-FM. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
31. "Archdiocese of Boston suspends all daily, Sunday Masses and religious services". WCVB. March 13, 2020.
32. Klein, Asher (March 13, 2020). "Boston Public Schools to Close for Over a Month Starting Tuesday Over Coronavirus". NBC Boston.
33. "Coronavirus (COVID-19)-City of Woburn". City of Woburn. March 13, 2020. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
34. Treffeisen, Beth (March 14, 2020). "Cape's first case of COVID-19 confirmed". Cape Cod Times.
35. Dowd, Brian (March 14, 2020). "First case of COVID-19 on Cape". The Martha's Vineyard Times.
36. Treffeisen, Beth (March 14, 2020). "Sandwich man first Cape case of COVID-19". Cape Cod Times.
37. "1st coronavirus cases in Cape Cod, Worcester among 15 new cases in Mass". WCVB. March 15, 2020.
38. "COVID-19 Update for March 14; First Positive Case". City of Worcester, MA.
39. City of Malden [@TheCityOfMalden] (March 14, 2020). "The Malden Health Department has been notified by the Mass Department of Public Health that a Malden resident has tested positive for Coronavirus" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
40. Becker, Kaitlin McKinley (March 14, 2020). "Massachusetts Man Who Died Aboard Flight From Dubai to Boston Will Be Tested for COVID-19". NBC Boston. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
41. "Passenger who died on flight from Dubai to Boston did not have coronavirus, state police say". WCVB. March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
42. Becker, Kaitlin McKinley (March 15, 2020). "Gov. Baker Closes Schools, Bans Mid-Size Gatherings, Eating at Restaurants". NBC Boston.
43. "Town of Hanover COVID-19 Update 3/15/20". Hanover, MA. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
44. Kincade, Katrina (March 14, 2020). "First case of COVID-19 locally confirmed at Baystate Medical Center". WWLP.
45. Larocque, Marc. "Brockton mayor confirms first case of coronavirus in city; declares state of emergency". The Enterprise. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
46. Greenberg, Zoe; Logan, Tim; Finucane, Martin (March 16, 2020). "Ordinary life in MA is over for now: Walsh orders construction shutdown, tally of cases statewide rises to 197". The Boston Globe.
47. Vaccaro, Adam; Rocheleau, Matt (March 16, 2020). "MBTA to reduce train and bus service, close ferry". The Boston Globe.
48. Vaccaro, Adam (March 18, 2020). "T trying to balance unhealthy crowding with fewer cars". The Boston Globe.
49. McCluskey, Priyanka Dayal; Kowalczyk, Liz; MacQuarrie, Brian (March 17, 2020). "Hospitalizations for coronavirus escalate in Greater Boston". The Boston Globe.
50. McDonald, Danny (March 19, 2020). "Baker activates National Guard as coronavirus crisis grows". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
51. Fortier, Marc (March 19, 2020). "Massachusetts Coronavirus Cases See Largest 1-Day Spike Yet". NBC Boston. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
52. Cohan, Alex (March 20, 2020). "First Massachusetts coronavirus death is an elderly man from Suffolk County". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
53. Finucane, Martin; Andersen, Travis; Alanez, Tonya; Kowalcyzk, Liz (March 20, 2020). "Winthrop man, 87, is 1st coronavirus death in Massachusetts as case tally rises to more than 400". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
54. Dowd, Brian (March 20, 2020). "Update: Tisbury resident 'positive' for COVID-19". Martha's Vineyard Times.
55. "Tisbury press release for COVID-19" (PDF). Town of Tisbury, office of the Board of Health. March 20, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
56. "Number of Massachusetts Coronavirus Cases Jumps to 413". NBC Boston. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
57. "COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATE: Personal Service and Retail Business Suspensions; Construction Requirements Issued; Call for New England Coordination Issued". City of Somerville. March 20, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
58. "Cambridge City Manager and Commissioner of Public Health Issue Temporary Emergency Order on the Closure of Several Businesses and Activities". City of Cambridge. March 20, 2020.
59. "Total coronavirus cases climb over 500 in Mass.; includes first on Martha's Vineyard". WCVB. March 21, 2020.
60. "Second COVID-19 related death in Massachusetts announced". WFXT. March 21, 2020.
61. Croteau, Scott (March 22, 2020). "Coronavirus: Ayer woman is second COVID-19 death in Massachusetts, health officials confirm". MassLive. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
62. McCormick, Cynthia (March 20, 2020). "Virus cases multiply on Cape Cod, Vineyard". Cape Code Times. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
63. "MBTA Announces Service Update Effective Saturday, March 21". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. March 20, 2020.
64. "Coronavirus live blog: Second Mass. resident dies from COVID-19; 525 total cases across state". WFXT. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
65. "'Stay on Mainland,' Gov. Baker Tells Residents With 2nd Homes on Nantucket, Vineyard". NBC Boston. March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
66. Becker, Kaitlin McKinley (March 22, 2020). "Massachusetts Reports 3 More Coronavirus Deaths as Cases Reach 646 Statewide". NBC Boston. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
67. Feuer, William (March 23, 2020). "Massachusetts under "stay-at-home" order until April 7, Gov. Baker announces". CNBC. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
68. Bharel, Monica (March 25, 2020), Order of the Commissioner of Public Health (PDF), The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
69. "Baker-Polito Administration Announces Travel Guidelines and New Health Care Resources To Support COVID-19 Response". Government of Massachusetts. March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
70. "Massachusetts Announces State Income Tax Filing Deadline Being Extended to July 15". Government of Massachusetts. March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
71. Finucane, Martin; Logan, Tim; Vaccaro, Adam; Andersen, Travis (March 27, 2020). "Mass. coronavirus cases jump by more than 800, with 10 new related deaths; Baker asks travelers to self-quarantine". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
72. "Massachusetts Department of Public Health commissioner tests positive for coronavirus". The Patriot Ledger. March 27, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
73. Vaccaro, Adam (March 30, 2020). "MBTA, unions looking for more ways to slow the spread of coronavirus". The Boston Globe.
74. Winter, Tom [@Tom_Winter] (March 30, 2020). "NEW: Boston Police spokesperson John Boyle says 22 BPD members have tested positive for COVID-19, 19 uniformed and 3 civilians. This updates an earlier tweet" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
75. Sweeney, Emily (April 1, 2020). "Eight Catholic priests from Boston Archdiocese test positive for coronavirus". The Boston Globe.
76. Andersen, Travis; Ryan, Andrew; Finucane, Martin (April 1, 2020). "Walsh announces plans for convention center to become field hospital; Baker warns of upcoming coronavirus peak". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
77. Saccone, Mike [@mikesacconetv] (April 1, 2020). "NEW: Holyoke Soldiers' Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh releases a statement denying any wrongdoing as 2 more veterans die, bringing total number of deaths to 15. 6 have tested positive for COVID-19. The test results for 6 others are pending. 2 tested negative & 1 unknown" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
78. McCluskey, Priyanka Dayal; Andersen, Travis (April 2, 2020). "Near tripling of employee coronavirus infections in largest Massachusetts hospitals in past week". The Boston Globe.
79. Saccone, Mike [@mikesacconetv] (March 30, 2020). "BREAKING: More than 500 healthcare workers in Massachusetts have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a tally I've been keeping. The 5 hospitals with the most cases are listed below. #Boston25" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
80. "WATCH: Walsh Announces 21:00 Curfew To Help Slow The Spread Of Coronavirus". WGBH News. April 5, 2020.
81. Reiss, Jaclyn (April 5, 2020). "Read Mayor Walsh's statement on the recommended curfew for Boston". The Boston Globe.
82. Cotter, Sean Philip (April 10, 2020). "MIT scientists probe nation's sewage for coronavirus clues". Boston Herald.
83. Cotter, Sean Philip (April 8, 2020). "Massachusetts sewage suggests more than 100K coronavirus cases in state: MIT lab". Boston Herald.
84. Berg, Matt (April 10, 2020). "Pedestrians to take over parkways in Boston and Watertown while parking spots are cut at Arboretum". The Boston Globe.
85. Vaznis, James (April 10, 2020). "Mass. cancels MCAS exams". The Boston Globe.
86. Berke, Ben (April 12, 2020). "Brockton coronavirus cases drop for first time in weeks, officials warn of 'ebb and flow'". The Enterprise.
87. "Massachusetts releases town-by-town coronavirus infection data". WCVB. April 16, 2020.
88. Klein, Asher (April 18, 2020). "Baker Meets with Army's Top General, Talks Marathon Fight Against Coronavirus". NBC Boston.
89. Baker signs bill blocking evictions during coronavirus crisis
90. Mass. residents worried about eviction or foreclosure get some breathing room
91. "Coronavirus: Mass. Schools Closed For Remainder Of Academic Year". CBS Boston. April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
92. Geggel, Laura (April 24, 2020). "Massachusetts: Latest updates on coronavirus". Live Science.
93. Kincade, Katrina (April 24, 2020). "More testing, cases of coronavirus in Massachusetts but number of hospitalizations down". WWLP.
94. John, Hilliard (April 25, 2020). "Key to reopening Mass. is not May 4 deadline, Baker says; Mass. coronavirus deaths rise to 2,730". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
95. "Coronavirus Mass.: Baker Extends Business Closures To May 18". CBS Boston. April 28, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
96. Richer, Alanna Durkin (April 28, 2020). "Nearly 70 dead in 'horrific' outbreak at veterans home". Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
97. Stout, Matt; Andersen, Travis; Finucane, Martin; Vaccaro, Adam (May 1, 2020). "Mass. reports 154 new coronavirus deaths, 2,106 new cases; Baker issues order requiring masks in public for all residents". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
98. Burnell, Brian (May 4, 2020). "'Closed Down for a Flu?': Protesters Call for End to Coronavirus Shutdown in Mass". NBC Boston. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
99. MacNeill, Arianna (May 4, 2020). "Photos: Protesters gather in front of Mass. State House demanding reopening". Boston.com. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
100. Klein, Asher (May 8, 2020). "No Large Parades, Festivals in Boston This Summer". NBC Boston. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
101. "Coronavirus updates: Mass. DPH announces 33 new COVID-19 deaths, 870 additional cases in state". Boston 25 News. May 12, 2020. Archived from the original on May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
102. "How Massachusetts Will Reopen Under Governor Charlie Baker's Plan". CBS Boston. May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
103. Solis, Steph (May 26, 2020). "Coronavirus surge 'is behind us' in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker says". MassLive. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
104. Stout, Matt (May 26, 2020). "Boston coronavirus field hospital stops taking admissions, as officials urge caution - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
105. Golen, Jimmy (May 28, 2020). "Boston Marathon canceled for 1st time in 124-year history". The Associated Press. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
106. Reiss, Jaclyn (June 1, 2020). "Mass. sees 3,840 new coronavirus cases, 189 new deaths as officials begin reporting 'probable' cases". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
107. "More than 78,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Massachusetts, DPH says". WCVB. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
108. Williams, Michelle (June 6, 2020). "Massachusetts to enter Phase 2 of reopening plan on Monday". MassLive. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
109. Burnell, Brian; Markos, Mary (June 17, 2020). "Go to a Protest? Get a Free COVID Test". NBC Boston. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
110. "Mass. Has Lowest COVID-19 Transmission Rate In The Country, According To Website That Tracks Virus' Spread". WBUR. June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
111. Mass. Unemployment Rate Rises To 17.4%, Worst In The Country
112. Kim, Young-Jin (July 2, 2020). "Massachusetts to Enter Phase 3 of Reopening Process Monday". NBC Boston. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
113. "Massachusetts targets 8 communities for increased COVID-19 testing effort". WCVB. July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
114. Perri, Meredith (July 16, 2020). "Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference suspends fall sports season due to coronavirus". MassLive. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
115. Massachusetts restaurants can sell cocktails to-go until at least February because of the coronavirus pandemic
116. "Governor Charlie Baker Extends Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium". The National Law Review. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
117. "Foreclosures and Evictions Moratorium Extension July 21 2020". www.mass.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
118. Vaccaro, Adam (July 14, 2020). "Front boarding returns to MBTA buses, trolleys next week". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
119. DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (July 31, 2020). "Charlie Baker blames clusters for coronavirus uptick in Massachusetts". Boston.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
120. Marcelo, Philip (July 31, 2020). "Hard-hit Massachusetts worries COVID-19 respite is fleeting". The Associated Press. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
121. "Somerville delays its phase 3 reopening again amid rising COVID-19 cases". WCVB. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
122. "New Travel Order Requires Quarantine Upon Entering Massachusetts". CBS Boston. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
123. Solis, Steph (August 7, 2020). "Citing COVID-19 clusters, Massachusetts postpones second step of Phase 3 reopening 'indefinitely'". MassLive. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
124. "Decision Day: Massachusetts School Reopening Plans Due". NBC Boston. August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
125. Cho, Diane; Fortier, Mark (August 13, 2020). "Massachusetts School Reopening Guidelines: These Districts Have Already Decided on Remote-Only Learning". NBC Boston. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
126. "Boston Public Schools hoping to delay start of school year to Sept. 21". WHDH. August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
127. Vaznis, James (August 21, 2020). "All Boston Public Schools to start school year remotely - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
128. Hamm, Nia (August 16, 2020). "Move-In Has Begun at Mass. Schools With New COVID-19 Guidelines". NBC Boston. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
129. "Flu Vaccine Now Required for all Massachusetts School Students Enrolled in Child Care, Pre-School, K-12, and Post-Secondary Institutions". Government of Massachusetts. Department of Public Health. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
130. Salahi, Lara (August 30, 2020). "Hundreds Rally at Mass. State House Against Mandatory Flu Shots". NBC Boston. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
131. "Andover Teachers Say They Will Work Remotely Despite Hybrid Plan". CBS Boston. August 28, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
132. Dwyer, Dialynn (September 1, 2020). "Andover teachers will enter school buildings under threat of legal action". Boston.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
133. DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (September 3, 2020). "New effort eyes Mass. cities with persistently high coronavirus rates". Boston.com. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
134. "More Than 20 Coronavirus Cases Linked to College Party in Worcester". NBC Boston. August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020 – via The Associated Press.
135. Krantz, Laura (September 4, 2020). "Northeastern dismisses 11 first-year students for partying. They won't get their $36,500 tuition back". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
136. "Middlebury College bars 22 students from campus for violating COVID-19 policies". www.msn.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
137. "Massachusetts colleges face coronavirus outbreaks, quarantine hundreds of students". Boston Herald. September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
138. Creamer, Lisa (September 29, 2020). "For Lower-Risk Communities Only, Mass. Loosens Some COVID Restrictions Around Gatherings, Recreation". WBUR. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
139. Chen, Angus; Ma, Adrian (September 29, 2020). "With The Coronavirus Creeping Back In Mass., Health Experts And Community Groups Call For Action". WBUR. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
140. Hanson, Melissa (October 2, 2020). "Mass. schools reported 63 student and 34 staff cases of coronavirus in last week of September". MassLive. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
141. Hilliard, John; Stoico, Nick (October 3, 2020). "Nearly one-third of patients at Plymouth DOC facility test positive for COVID-19, agency reports". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
142. Fortier, Marc (October 7, 2020). "Mayor Walsh Hits Pause on Boston School Reopening After Coronavirus Cases Surge". NBC Boston. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
143. "Baker Forms Coronavirus Vaccine Advisory Group To Prepare For Massachusetts Distribution". CBS Boston. October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
144. "Gov. Baker Says Mass. Is in 'Strong Position' Despite Spike in Coronavirus Cases". NBC Boston. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
145. DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (October 22, 2020). "Massachusetts is launching its own coronavirus economic recovery plan". Boston.com. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
146. Becker, Kaitlin McKinley (October 22, 2020). "Mass. Pausing Indoor Ice Hockey for 2 Weeks Due to Increasing COVID-19 Cases". NBC Boston. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
147. Finucane, Martin; Huddle, Ryan; Ciras, Heather (October 26, 2020). "Five charts that show why people are worried about another COVID-19 surge in Mass". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
148. Hilliard, John (October 25, 2020). "Source of infections unknown in half of Mass. COVID-19 cases, state says". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
149. Cho, Diane (October 26, 2020). "These High-Risk Mass. Communities Are Moving Back to Step 1 of Phase 3". NBC Boston. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
150. "Baker Orders Curfew For Businesses & Gatherings, Reduces Gathering Limits, Tightens Mask Mandate". CBS Boston. November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
151. Fortier, Marc; Rosenfield, Michael (November 12, 2020). "Mayor Walsh Warns Second Coronavirus Shutdown Would Be 'Far Worse'". NBC Boston. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
152. DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (December 3, 2020). "White House task force suggests Mass. should roll back reopening | Boston.com". Boston.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
153. DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (December 8, 2020). "Charlie Baker announces statewide rollback of Massachusetts reopening plan". Boston.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
154. Dwinnell, Joe (December 14, 2020). "First Massachusetts coronavirus vaccines arrive at Boston Medical Center". Boston Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
155. "First responders to receive shots in Massachusetts". WNYT. The Associated Press. January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
156. Krueger, Hanna (January 5, 2021). "'Be very vigilant': Baker says highly infectious COVID-19 variant is likely already in Mass". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
157. "Massachusetts Enters Phase 2 of Vaccination Plan; Injections Begin at Fenway". NBC Boston. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.