By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) Governor Charlie Baker has announced the field hospital at the DCU Center in Worcester will be up and operational by the first week in December. The hospital will have about 250 beds available to patients who need a lower level of care.
Governor Baker is concerned with the rate of spread in the Commonwealth, noting that yesterday, Massachusetts reached a total of 10,000 COVID-19 cases and the positive infection rate is at about 2.9%.
“We’ve learned a lot about this virus since last Spring but we have a long way to go,” said Baker.
Baker once again said that the increase in COVID-19 cases is due to relaxed efforts to practice social distancing measures that prevent the spread of the virus, like wearing masks and remaining socially distant. Work environments are generally safe, said Baker, because COVID-19 socially distancing measures are being practices.
“Schools have proven to be relatively safe,” said Baker once again pushing for a return to in person learning
Small moments and small groups who have not been following social distancing are the driving force, according to Baker.
“In the cases and places where we are supposed to be doing the right things people are doing the right things,” said Baker. Baker is concerned about Thanksgiving, where people normally gather, as a possibly elevating the spread of COVID-19. He is also concerned about events like ice hockey, where he said parents and kids were spending time visiting and horsing around rather than practicing.