6/26/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates

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On June 26th, Governor Baker gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on Testing, Hospitalizations, and Economic Recovery.

Here is the summary.

Testing

  • Yesterday, over 10,000 tests were reported in MA with 226 new positive tests reported. MA has now reached over 1 million tests administered so far. 

Hospitalizations

  • As of yesterday, there are currently 905 individuals hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 and 174 are in the ICU. 

    • These hospitalizations represent about a 75% drop since mid April.

  • There has been a spike in hospitalizations in other states and MA residents need to keep up the good work by continuing to practice good hygiene, social distancing, and wearing face coverings.  

Economic Recovery

  • Governor just signed the $5.25 billion 1/12th budget which will allow the state to function through the first month of the fiscal year 2021 and will also ensure the continuation of local aid to cities and towns.

  • Before COVID-19, the Administration filed an economic development plan to enable partnerships for growth. The bill laid out targeted investments, and housing community development, and business competitiveness. The picture of the economic landscape is looking different now with COVID-19 and today, the Administration is announcing a $275 million COVID-19 economic recovery package to spur economic growth in every region of MA. 

    • Invest more in the state’s low-income communities, communities of color, and minority-owned businesses that have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19.

    • Proposing an additional $15 million for neighborhood stabilization.

    • Increasing funding for community development financial institutions by $25 million for a record level of $35 million to assist small businesses. 

    • Tripling funding for grants to support micro-businesses from a total of $5 million to $15 million.

      • These proposals will bring safe and affordable housing units back on the market and give women, minorities, veteran, immigrant small business owners access to capital to grow their enterprises.