Fall River adds only 3 new coronavirus cases; statewide positive test rate is down to 2.6%

FALL RIVER - Fall River is reporting three new coronavirus cases to bring the total 1,540. The city is reporting no new fatalities, so the total stands at 85.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 18 new COVID-19-related deaths across the state Tuesday, bringing the state's total to 7,665. One week ago, the number of new deaths was 55.

State health officials also reported 195 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, and one week ago on June 9, the state was reporting 263 cases. The total is now 105,885.

Key indicators continue to trend downward. The seven-day average positive test rate is 2.6%, compared to 9.7% just one month ago. The three-day average of hospitalizations is 1,037, compared to 2,607 one month ago. And the three-day average of deaths is 26, compared to 95 one month ago.

The number of patients in the ICU is 224, with 151 intubated. Just one week ago, there were 315 patients in the ICU, and 202 intubated.

Charlton Memorial Hospital was reporting 62 patients, with 12 in the ICU; one week ago, they had 81 patients, with 19 in the ICU.

Morton Hospital has six patients, with two in the ICU; one week ago, they had 14 patients, with two in the ICU.

St. Luke's Hospital has 30 cases, with five in the ICU; one week ago, they had 38 cases, with 12 in the ICU.

DPH recently began reporting both confirmed cases and probable cases. Of the 195 new cases reported Tuesday, 55 are probable. Meanwhile, none of the 18 newly reported deaths fell into the probable category.

The DPH said the addition of probable cases and deaths is part of an effort to continue to offer transparent reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of June 10, weekly data shows that 84,621 patients had been released from isolation, meaning they are considered to have recovered from the virus.