Massachusetts begins to turn back COVID-19
-Massachusetts falls over 400 hospitalizations below peak
-Massachusetts has its slowest case growth rate ever.
-Massachusetts sees the lowest positive test rate ever.
-US and World rates stay relatively constant
Let's get the World and US update put of the way first; it's the same story of the last several nights. Rates keep bobbing up and down, but are falling slowly over the long run.
Now, on to the amazing day for Massachusetts.
The Commonwealth sees its slowest growth rate in total cases ever, at a mere 1.5%, and the lowest amount of new cases since April 5th. Hospitalizations are now 426 below their peak, which is a 10.7% drop in just two weeks, and it is gaining downward momentum. ICU occupancy is also falling, it is now 16% below its peak. That is a gain of 181 ICU beds.
Massachusetts keeps testing, and the testing keeps coming back lower and lower and lower, in one week it has fallen from a positive rate of 19.1% to 10.4% We didn't just edge out the lowest day of positive results, we beat it by 1.3%, previously it was 11.7%. This testing is the only way we can begin to get back to normal. The State's initiatives in testing are also giving us great insights into just how deadly COVID-19. When/If COVID-19 comes back this data is going to save lives.
The model referenced with these charts is one I built when we first entered the major peak, and we have stayed on it. I'm not pointing this out to pat myself on the back, all econometric modeling is built on previous economists' works. I bring this up because this helps us know if there is an abnormality in the data, or if there is a sudden and unpredicted shift. The fact we have stayed on this line is a nodded to the fact the State is providing super accurate and transparent data.
Massachusetts also dipped below both the World and US rates for total case growth, after weeks of slowly running them down the Commonwealth finally passed them both in one day. Given the trend we are seeing in the State, we may continue to beat the World and US benchmarks.
I'll let the charts do the rest of the talking, I've already rambled too much for any Monday night.
There's no other way to look at it; Massachusetts got hit hard by COVID-19, but it didn't just flatten the curve, it crushed it; the great work by our healthcare workers, prolific testing and tracing programs, and a diligent adoption of sound evidence-backed prevention techniques turned the tide. I know it feels like we have been at this for a long time, but in just 6 weeks, which is a blink, we have made amazing progress in slowing down the biggest pandemic in over 100 years.
Stay safe, and let's pray for more good news tomorrow!