October Archive: COVID-19 Daily Update

by Art and Maura Keene

The Indy’s COVID-19 Daily Update will post the daily confirmed case count for Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Massachusetts, for the nation and for the globe.  

Making Sense of the Numbers
Authorities caution that the confirmed case count is a substantial underestimate of the actual number of cases because access to testing in the United States is still severely limited.  Only about 10% to 15% of all cases are being confirmed in the U.S. said Andrew Lover of UMass Amherst’s School of Public Health and Health Sciences. (For more information on testing see here and  here and here, and here and here). 

We rely on well-vetted sources to produce our daily update and draw mostly from the following: Center for Disease Control (CDC), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Johns Hopkins University, Yale School of Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Washington Post, New York Times, The Guardian, NPR, MSNBC, NBC, STAT News, and the Twitter feeds and/or blogs of Andy Slavitt, Greg Gonsolves, Ezekiel Emanuel, Marc Lipsich, and David Wallace-Wells.

Archives
The Indy began posting COVID-19 Daily Update on March 18. Here are links to archives of previous months’ posts. March, April , May, June, July, August, September

UPDATE for SATURDAY October 31 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 157,146 (+1,582)
Deaths: 9,975 (+24)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 287 (+0) Currently Active -18 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 171 (+9). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 9,321,265 (+105,188)
Confirmed Deaths –235,212 (+1,070)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 46,048,797
Deaths: 1,195,859 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
COVID-19 Cases In Massachusetts Schools Up Sharply
(Commonwealth Magazine)
The Number Of High Risk Communities In Massachusetts Has Risen Dramatically
(Boston Globe)
US Breaks Daily Case Record With Over 99,000 Cases
(New York Times)
Internal Documents Reveal COVID-19 Hospitalization Data That Government Keeps Secret
(NPR)
Trump Accuses Doctors Of Distorting COVID Numbers For Profit
(CNN)
Belgian Doctors With Coronavirus Asked To Keep Working Due to Physician Shortage
(BBC)
Getting Through The Winter With Coronavirus
(Slate)
The Simple Rule That Could Keep COVID-19 Death Rates Down
(The Atlantic)
Andy Slavitt: The US Can Eradicate COVID-19 If We Want To
(WBUR)

UPDATE for FRIDAY October 30 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 155,564 (+1,346)
Deaths: 9,951 (+27)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 287 (+8 ) Currently Active -18 (+1)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 162 (+2). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 9,216,077 (+94,277)
Confirmed Deaths –234,207 (+1,005)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 45,464,208
Deaths: 1,188,139 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts’ Approach To COVID-19 Is Science Based. So Why Are Cases Rising?
(ABC News)
Which Massachusetts Schools Have Reported COVID-19 Cases Among Students And Staff?
(MassLive)
US Surpasses 9 Million Cases. Sets Another New Daily Record
(New York Times)
Trtump Rallies Linked To COVID Spread
(CNN)
Taiwan Just Went 200 Days Without A New Coronavirus Case. Here’s How
(CNN)
South Dakota And North Dakota Have The Worst Coronavirus Outbreaks In The Nation. Here’s Why.
(Vox)
Clemson Quarterback and Heisman Candidate Trevor Lawrence Tests Positive For COVID-19
(NFL.com)
Which Masks Are Best For Limiting COVID Spread?
(The Guardian)
Sewage Testing Shows A Country Flush With COVID-19
(CNN)

UPDATE for THURSDAY October 29 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 154,218 (+1,181)
Deaths: 9,924 (+36)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 279 (+3 ) Currently Active -17 (-2)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 160 (+1). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 9,121,800 (+82,630)
Confirmed Deaths –233,137 (+1,036)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 44,878,011
Deaths: 1,180,914 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
MA Records Fifth Straight Day With Over 1000 New Cases
(WCVB)
Trump’s Closing Argument On Virus Clashes With Science
(New York Times)
More Than 40 States Report Rise In Cases. Midwest States Report Record Hospitalizations
(CNN)
COVID Lockdowns Return To Europe
(BBC)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY October 28 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 153,037 (+1,260)
Deaths: 9,888 (+7)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 276 (-1 ) Currently Active -19 (+2)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 159 (+1). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 9,039,170 (+76,387)
Confirmed Deaths –232,101 (+1,056)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 44,365,395
Deaths: 1,173,893 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Connecticut, New Jersey Add Massachusetts To Travel Advisory Due To Significant Increase In COVID Transmission
(MassLive)
As Cases Surge, Europe Weighs Nationwide Lockdowns
(New York Times)
Some Americans Refuse To Wear Masks Even As Their Towns Become COVID Hot Spots
(Washington Post)

UPDATE for TUESDAY October 27 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 151,777 (+1,212)
Deaths: 9,881 (+17)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 277 (+4 ) Currently Active -17 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 158 (+1). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,962,783 (+73,226)
Confirmed Deaths –231,045 (+535)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 43,863,777
Deaths: 1,165,661 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts COVID Numbers Climb Again Among Fears Of Second Wave
(MassLive)
WHO Warns Giving Up On Effort To Control COVID-19 Would Be Dangerous
(StatNews)
US Hospitals Plan For Worst Case Scenario As COCVID Cases Surge
(Vox)

UPDATE for MONDAY October 26 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 150,565 (+1,077)
Deaths: 9,864 (25)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 273 (+0 ) Currently Active -17 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 157 (+1). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,889,557 (+58,111)
Confirmed Deaths –230,510 (+424)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 43,436,623
Deaths: 1,160,416 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Source Of Infection Unknown In Half Of MA COVID-19 Cases
(Boston Globe)
Surge In Hospitalizations Is Straining US Health Care Facilities
(New York Times)
Trump Team Announces Its Surrender To The Pandemic
(CNN)
Pence Will Not Quarantine After Five Aides Test Positive For Coronavirus. Will Continue To Campaign
(CNBC)
Third Wave Of Coronavirus In US Is Officially Worse Than First Two
(Time)

UPDATE for SUNDAY October 25 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 149,488 (+1,203)
Deaths: 9,839 (+9)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 273 (+1 ) Currently Active -17 (-2)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 156 (+3). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,831,446 (+79,265)
Confirmed Deaths –230,086 (+769)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 43,047,618
Deaths: 1,156,126 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
White House Chief Of Staff: We’re Not Going To Control The Pandemic
(CNN)
Several Pence Aides Test Positive For Coronavirus
(New York Times)
After Setting New Case Count Record On Friday, US Records Second Highest Daily Count Ever On Saturday
(CNN)
COVID Death Toll Is Higher On Navajo Nation Than In Any US State
(USA Today)
Drug Company Insiders Are Profiting Handsomely From COVID-19 Desperation
(Boston Globe)

UPDATE for SATURDAY October 24 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 148,285 (+1,070)
Deaths: 9,830 (+20)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 272 (+0 ) Currently Active -19 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 153 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,752,181 (+87,818)
Confirmed Deaths –229,317 (+894)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 42,577,485
Deaths: 1,150,681 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
US New Coronavirus Cases Hit New Daily Record Of 83,000. Experts Predict Daily Cases Will Hit Six Digits Soon
(CNN)
US Sets Coronavirus Case Record Amid New Surge
(New York Time)
America Is Poised To Enter Its Worst Stretch Yet Of Pandemic
(Washington Post)
Wisconsin Breaks COVID Records As Hospitals Brace For Flu Season
(NBC News)
Thanksgiving In The Time Of COVID. Is It Safe To Celebrate With Family?
(NPR)
Fauci: Trump Has Not Attended A White House Coronavirus Task Force Meeting In Months
(USA Today)
WHO Study: Remdesivir Doesn’t Reduce COVID-19 Mortality
(Science News)


UPDATE for FRIDAY October 23 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 147,215 (+1,049)
Deaths: 9,810 (+30)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 272 (+2 ) Currently Active -19 (-3)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 153 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,664,365 (+78,617)
Confirmed Deaths –228,423 (+1004)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 42,094,152
Deaths: 1,144,292 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts COVID-19 Cases Reach Five Month High
(Boston Globe)
US Sets Daily Record For New Coronavirus Cases With Over 77,000
(NBC)
Face Masks: What The Data Say
(Nature)

UPDATE for THURSDAY October 22 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 146,166 (+702)
Deaths: 9,780 (+22)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 270 (+1 ) Currently Active -22 (+2)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 153 (+!). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,585,748 (+64,283)
Confirmed Deaths –227,419 (+1215)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 41,570,478
Deaths: 1,137,693 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Virus Surges Across The US. All Regions Affected
(New York Times)
US Tops 1000 Daily COVID-19 Deaths With Worst Of Fall Surge Yet To Come
(CNN)
After Outbreak At Wisconsin Town’s Colleges, Deaths At Nursing Homes Escalated
(Washington Post)
Coronavirus Cases Confirmed At 360+ Schools Across Florida
(Local10.com)
COVID-19 Outbreaks In Michigan Schools Rise 25 Percent In One Week
(Bridge MI)
Fifty Experts You Can Trust In A Pandemic
(Elemental.Medium)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY October 20 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 145,464 (+976)
Deaths: 9,758 (+5)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 269 (+1 ) Currently Active -20 (-1)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 152 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,521,465 (+62,424)
Confirmed Deaths –226,204 (+963)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 41,128,207
Deaths: 1,131,061 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Seven Countries Report At Least 100,000 Coronavirus Cases In Last Week
(New York Times)
Two-week Stay At Home Order Issued For All University Of Michigan Students As Coronavirus Cases Surge
(CNN)
Debunking The False Claim That COVID-19 Death Counts Are Inflated
(Scientific American)
More Than 100,000 Californians Have Bought A Gun In Response To COVID Crisis
(The Guardian)
US Rural Hospitals Are On Life Support As Third Coronavirus Wave Strikes
(Time)
Nature’s Second Pandemic Progress Report Looks At Immunity
(Nature)
Commissioner: Schools Not Big Virus Spreaders
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)

UPDATE for TUESDAY October 20 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 144,488 (+828)
Deaths: 9,753 (+16)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 268 (+0 ) Currently Active -21 (-34)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 152 (+1). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,459,041 (+71,028)
Confirmed Deaths –225,241 (+509)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 40,725,616
Deaths: 1,124,264 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
UMass COVID Cases Slow Down
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Ireland Imposes 5km Travel Limit In Strict New Lockdown
(The Guardian)
What Factors Are Currently Driving US Surge
(CNN)
The Third Coronavirus Surge Has Arrived
(The Atlantic)
People Are Dying Every Night. Staff At Wisconsin Hospital Urge Public To Take COVID-19 Seriously
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UPDATE for MONDAY October 19 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 143,660 (+584)
Deaths: 9,737 (+14)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 268 (+0 ) Currently Active -55 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 151 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,388,013 (+51,942)
Confirmed Deaths –224,732 (+448)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 40,356,850
Deaths: 1,119,426 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:

World Struggles As COVID-19 Cases Pass 40 Million
(Associated Press)
Trump Mocks Biden For Trusting Scientists While Biden Knocks Trump For COVID Lies
(NBC News)
Malden Schools Go Full Remote After Multiple Staff Test Positive For COVID-19
(WCVB)
The One Place In North America With No Coronavirus Cases
(BBC)

UPDATE for SUNDAY October 18 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 142,930 (+584)
Deaths: 9,723 (+21)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 268 (+0 ) Currently Active -55 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 151 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,343,244 (+44,794)
Confirmed Deaths –224,284 (+603)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 40,023,261
Deaths: 1,116,600 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
With Cases Surging Across The US, Only MO And VT Are Trending In The Right Direction
(CNN)
Pandemic Fatigue: Exhaustion and Impatience Create New Risks As Cases Soar
(New York Times)
When Schools Opened In A Viral Hotspot
(New York Times)
Global Report: Paris Under Curfew, Soaring Caseloads In Europe
(The Guardian)
The Great Barrington Declaration Is An Ethical Nightmare
(Vox)

UPDATE for SATURDAY October 17 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 142,346 (+767)
Deaths: 9,702 (+30)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 268 (+5 ) Currently Active -55 (+4)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 151 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,291,302 (+72,179)
Confirmed Deaths –223,681 (+982)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 39,646,157
Deaths: 1,110,250 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
US Records Over 70k New COVID-19 Cases In Single Day. Worst Since July.
(CNN)
US Surpasses 8 Million Coronavirus Cases
(CNN)
White House Opposes Expanded Virus Testing
(New York Times)
Rapidly Spreading COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Pose A Public Health RIsk
(Time)

UPDATE for FRIDAY October 16 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 141,579 (+587)
Deaths: 9,672 (+25)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 263 (+0 ) Currently Active -51 (-2)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 151 (+7). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,219,123 (+64,469)
Confirmed Deaths –222,753 (865)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 39,249,367
Deaths: ? Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
US Headed In Wrong Direction As Third Wave Nears And Country Surpasses 8 Million Coronavirus Cases
(New York Times)
New Coronavirus Cases In US Reach Highest Single-Day Levels Since Late July
(Washington Post)
A Second Wave Of Mental Health Devastation Due To COVID-19 Is Imminent Experts Say
(CNN)
Fauci Warns Americans To Rethink Thanksgiving Amidst COVID-19 Surge
(The Guardian)
COVID In Europe: How Countries Are Tackling The Second Wave
(The Guardian)
HHS Sued To Force Public Release Of Billion Dollar COVID-19 Vaccine Contracts
(Public Citizen)
15 Year Old Massachusetts Student Creates Nationwide Website to Track Coronavirus Cases In Schools
(MassLive)
Remdesivir and Interferon Fall Flat In WHO’s Megastudy Of Coronavirus Treatments
(Science)
How A.J. Hastings, A Mom and Mom Shop, Survives COVID-19
(Daily Collegian)
Halloween During A Pandemic: Safety Tips
(Healthychildren.org)

UPDATE for THURSDAY October 15 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 140,992 (+580)
Deaths: 9,647 (+17)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 263 (+10 ) Currently Active -53 (-5)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 144 (+5). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,154,627 (+59,750 )
Confirmed Deaths –221,888 (+1101)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 38,816,933
Deaths: 1,098,037
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
63 Massachusetts Communities Are Now Considered High Risk For COVID Spread
(MassLive)
Should UMass Bring Students Back In The Spring? Over 1000 Students And Parents Say Yes In Petition
(The Daily Collegian)
Americans Are Dying In The Pandemic At Rates Higher Than Other Developed Countries
(NPR)
Global Report: Europe Sees Highest Case Counts Yet. Paris Institutes Curfew
(The Guardian)
How Is Germany Managing COVID-19 Better Than The Rest of Europe?
(Vox)
Swedish COVID-19 Response Was A Disaster. It Should Not Be A Model For The Rest Of The World
(Time)
Trump Wants US To Try For Herd Immunity. Without A Vaccine It Could Kill Millions
(Washington Post)
Researchers Blast COVID-19 Herd Immunity Strategy As Dangerous and Unethical
(Medpage Today)
Fauci: Trump’s Rapid Recovery From COVID-19 Amplifies Public’s Misunderstanding Of The Disease
(StatNews)
Barron Trump Tested Positive For COVID-19
(Bloomberg News)
WHO: Young And Healthy May Not Get Vaccine Until 2022
(The Guardian)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY October 14 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 140,412 (+749)
Deaths: 9,617 (+13)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 253 (+0 ) Currently Active -58 (-0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 139 (+1). 
Source For Amherst –  is currently down
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,049,879 (+11,488)
Confirmed Deaths –220,939 (+918)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 38,445,674
Deaths: 1,092,196
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
US Virus Death Rate Is Worst Among Developed Nations
(Bloomberg News)
More Than 20 States Have Set Records For New Coronavirus Cases In Recent Days
(Washington Post)
Small Household Gatherings Are Driving Latest US COVID-19 Surge
(CNN)
Neurological Symptoms Evident In Most Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
(CNN)
A Does Of Optimism As Pandemic Rages On
(New York Times)

UPDATE for TUESDAY October 13 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 139,663 (+760)
Deaths: 9,617 (+13)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 253 (+0 ) Currently Active -58 (-0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 138 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 8,038,391 (+45,439)
Confirmed Deaths –220,021 (+315)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 38,100,378
Deaths: 1,086,417
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Johnson and Johnson Pauses Vaccine Trial Over Participant’s Unexplained Illness
(The Guardian)
First Confirmed Case In US Of Coronavirus Reinfection
(NPR)
How Brain Fog Plagues COVID-19 Survivors
(New York Times)
How Is Coronavirus Impacting Schools In Massachusetts
(Boston Globe)
Schools Are Two Months Into Reopening Under Pandemic And No One Is Officially Tracking How It’s Going
(CNN)

UPDATE for MONDAY October 12 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 138,903 (+563)
Deaths: 9,604 (+17)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 253 (+0 ) Currently Active -58 (-0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 138 (+1). 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH. NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,992,932 (+46,987)
Confirmed Deaths –219,706 (+415)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 37,897,136
Deaths: 1,082,246
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Virus Can Survive Up To 28 Days On Some Surfaces Scientists Find
(The Guardian)
Trump Takes His COVID Misinformation Machine Back On The Road
(CNN)
Analysts Say COVID-19 Death Toll Much Higher Than Reported
(BU.edu)
Another Casualty Of The Pandemic, Trust In Science
(Washington Post)
America Needs To Rethink Its Testing Strategy
(Time)

UPDATE for SUNDAY October 11 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 138,340 (+639)
Deaths: 9,587 (+10)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 253 (+0 ) Currently Active -58 (-0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 137 (+1)
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,945,945 (+50,207)
Confirmed Deaths –219,291 (+206)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 37,523,039
Deaths: 1,078,404
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Northampton Tightens Restrictions on Restaurants and Performance Venues After Amherst And Holyoke Labeled High Risk
(MassLive)
New Positive COVID-19 Test Result Shuts Down Patriots Again
(Boston Globe)
US Midwestern States Report Steep Climb in COVID-19 Cases
(The Guardian)
Doctor Says Trump No Longer Contagious. No Test Results Offered
(New York Times)
The Coronavirus And The Threat Within The White House
(The New Yorker)

UPDATE for SATURDAY October 10 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 137,701 (+765)
Deaths: 9,577 (+12)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 253 (+0 ) Currently Active -58 (-19)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 136 (+3)
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,895,738 (+61,479)
Confirmed Deaths –218,985 (+1250)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 37,175,477
Deaths: 1,073,673
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
US Reports Most New Daily COVID-19 Cases In Two Months
(CNN)
Trump Declares He’s Healed From COVID-19
(NBC News)
Trump’s COVID-19 Treatment Makes No Sense
(Washington Post)
Study Finds Trump Is Single Largest Driver of Coronavirus Misinformation
(New York Times)
White House Blocked CDC From Issuing Mask Orders For Public Transportation
(New York Times)
Fauci Calls White House Ceremony For Coney Barrett A Super-spreader Event
(Bloomberg News)
Two Students And A Teacher At School Attended By Coney Barrett’s Children Test Positive For COVID-19
(Washington Post)
Largest COVID-19 Contact Tracing Study Finds Children Key To Spread and Super-spread
(Princeton.edu)
Why COVID-19 Cases Are Surging In The UK
(Vox)

UPDATE for FRIDAY October 9 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 136,936 (+444)
Deaths: 9,565 (+8)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 253 (-9) Currently Active -77 (+2)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 133 (+9)
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,834,259 (+57,450)
Confirmed Deaths –217,750 (+962)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 36,802,545
Deaths: 1,067,551
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:

106 Students and 57 Staffers Tested Positive For COVID-19 In Massachusetts Schools Last Week
(MassLive)
Amherst, Northampton, and Holyoke Flagged As High Risk Communities
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Is Trump Still Contagious? Experts Say It’s Impossible To Know
(Associated Press)
Wisconsin Again Breaks Single Day Record For New Cases
(CBS News)

UPDATE for THURSDAY October 8 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 136,492 (+535)
Deaths: 9,557 (+19)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 244 (-0) Currently Active -75 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 124 (+1) New Cases: 0
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,776,796 (+52,589)
Confirmed Deaths –216,788 (+939)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 36,449,272
Deaths: 1,061,489
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Amherst Designated Higher Risk Community As Number Of COVID-19 Cases Rise
(The Amherst Indy)
Virus Takes Center Stage At Pence Harris Debate
(New York Times)
White House COVID-19 Outbreak Has Risen To 34 Cases
(ABC News)
Trump Returns To Oval Office. Still Contagious and Maskless
(Business Insider)
Eight Remaining Questions About Trump’s Case Of COVID-19
(StatNews)
Trump Touts Unproven Experimental Drug As Cure
(New York Times)
New England Journal Of Medicine Calls For US Leadership To Be Voted Out Over COVID-19 Failure
(CNN)
NFL Doctor Won’t Rule Out Pausing Season After 26 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Last Week.
(CNN)
Long COVID. Why Are Some People Not Recovering
(BBC)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY October 7 as of 10 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 135,957 (+495)
Deaths: 9,538 (+8)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 244 (-0) Currently Active -75 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 124 (+1) New Cases: 0
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,724,207 (+43,005)
Confirmed Deaths –215,849 (+753)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 36,093,370
Deaths: 1,055,621
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
MA COVID-19 Numbers Rise Dramatically In Last Two Weeks
(MassLive)
UMass To Provide COVID Tests For Amherst First Responders
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Pentagon Officials Quarantine As Virus Spreads In Washington
(New York Times)
COVID-19 Outbreak Grips White House. Top Aide Stephen Miller Tests Positive
(The Guardian)
When Did Trump Last Test Negative?
(Time)
Republican Recalcitrance About Virus Persists Amidst White House Crisis
(Washington Post)
Half Of US States See Increases In Coronavirus Cases. Leaders Push For New Measures
(CNN)
Where Are The US COVID Hot Spots? ND, SD, MT, And WI.
(New York Times)
How A Small Wedding In Maine Became A Deadly Super-spreader
(Healthline)

UPDATE for TUESDAY October 6 as of 8 10 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 134,831 (+515)
Deaths: 9,530 (+20)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 244 (-3) Currently Active -75 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 123 (+2) New Cases: 0
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,681,202 (+44,136)
Confirmed Deaths –215,096 (+481)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 35,786,731
Deaths: 1,049,815
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
New Zealand Lifts All COVID Restrictions Declaring Nation COVID Free
(BBC)
Five Charts That Tell The Story Of COVID-19 in Massachusetts
(Boston Globe)
Trump Back At White House. Continues To Downplay Coronavirus
(New York Times)
Contagious President Removes Mask For Photo Opportunity
(The Guardian)
The Government Is Not Permitting Contact Tracing For Rose Garden Super-spreader Event
(New York Times)
How Trump’s COVID Treatment Differs From That Of Most Americans
(CNN)
The Recklessness Of Trump’s Return To The Whitehouse
(The New Yorker)
White House Now Has More COVID-19 Cases Than Countries of New Zealand, Taiwan and Vietnam Combined
(Taiwan News)
NFL Warns Teams Of Penalties For Violating COVID Protocols After Titans’ Outbreak
(Washington Post)

UPDATE for MONDAY October 5 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 134,316 (+644)
Deaths: 9,510 (+3)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 241 (-42) Currently Active -75 (-5)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 121 (+10)
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,637,066 (+35,884 )
Confirmed Deaths –214,615 (+335)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 35,443,216
Deaths: 1,042,600
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts Coronavirus Reopening Plans Reach Step 2 Of Phase 3 On Tuesday
(MassLive)
Outside Medical Experts Question Upbeat Portrayal Of Trump’s Condition
(StatNews)
Physicians Critical Of Trump’s Drive-by Stunt
(The Guardian)
Trump Did Not Disclose First Positive COVID-19 Test
(Boston Globe)
What I Saw At The Whitehouse. Following Trump’s COVID-19 Diagnosis, Staffers Still Roam Grounds Maskless
(The Atlantic)
What Happens If A Candidate For President Dies?
(Associated Press)
Boston Hospitals Digging In For Long Winter As Case Numbers Increase
(Boston Globe)
COVID-19 Cases On The Rise. Fauci Warns We’re Not In A Good Place
(NBC News)
The Evolving Science Of Coronavirus And Children
(Portside)

UPDATE for SUNDAY October 4 as of 10 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 134,433 (+672)
Deaths: 9,507 (+17)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 283 Currently Active -80
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 111
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Source For Amherst – Town Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,601,182 (+45,184 )
Confirmed Deaths –214,280 (+709)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 35,182,648
Deaths: 1,038,840
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
US Just Recorded The Most New COVID-19 Cases In Last Two Months
(USA Today)
Trump’s Symptoms Suggest A Serious Condition
(New York Times)
White House Sends Conflicting Messages About President’s Health
(New York Times)
Trump’s New Jersey Event Showed Perilous Neglect For His Staff, Supporters and Self
(The Guardian)
How Coney-Barrett Celebration At White House Turned Into Super-spreader Event
(CNN)
How Trump’s COVID-19 Diagnosis Could Alter The Election
(Time)
Patriots Quarterback Cam Newton Tests Positive For Coronavirus. Sunday Game With Chiefs Postponed
(New York Times)

UPDATE for SATURDAY October 3 as of 10 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 133,631 (+761)
Deaths: 9,490 (+10)
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,555,998 (+58,742)
Confirmed Deaths –213,571 (+877)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 34,891,305
Deaths: 1,034,175
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
COVID Count In Amherst Shoots Up 58% In One Month
(MassLive)
Trump Hospitalized With Coronavirus
(New York Times)
Rose Garden Ceremony May Have Been Super-spreader Event
(The Guardian)
Third GOP Senator Tests Positive For COVID-19
(CNN)
Trump’s Debate Guests Refused To Wear Masks, Flouting Rules
(Washington Post)
Ominous National Trend. Cases Rise In Most States
(Washinton Post)
How The White House Became A Coronavirus Breeding Ground
(Vox)

UPDATE for FRIDAY October 2 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 132,870 (+754)
Deaths: 9,480 (+24)
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,497,256 (+45,902)
Confirmed Deaths –212,694 (+889)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 34,531,083
Deaths: 1,028,523
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Trump And FLOTUS Test Positive For Coronavirus
(New York Times)
Trump’s COVID-19 Test Shocks Global Markets. Latest Reactions
(NPR)
How Trump’s COVID-19 Could Impact The Election
(Bloomberg News)
UMass Sees 34 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Two Days
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Boston, Springfield, Worcester, and Seven Other MA Communities Added To COVID-19 Red Zone
(NBC Boston)
Colleges Learn How To Suppress Coronavirus. Extensive Testing
(New York Times)
Fall College Openings Were A Mess. Here’s How To Avoid COVID-19 Outbreaks In The Spring Semester
(Time)
Alarming COVID-19 Data Show A Third Wave About To Hit US
(Time)
What Will Cold and Flu Season Mean For Pandemic?
(The New Yorker)
K. The Overlooked Variable That’s Driving The Pandemic
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for THURSDAY October 1 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 132,116 (+532)
Deaths: 9,456 (+33)
Source: MA DPH and Boston.maps. 
Distribution of cases by MA county.
Distribution of cases by MA town.

Confirmed Cases in USA – 7,451,354 (+44,625)
Confirmed Deaths –211,805 (+1008)
Source: Worldometers 

Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 34,206,318
Deaths: 1,019,628
Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Walsh Says Boston Will Not Move Forward With State’s Reopening Plan As City Enters COVID-19 Red Zone
(Boston Globe)
Trump Is Single Largest Driver Of Coronavirus Misinformation Study Finds
(New York Times)
Massive Testing Allowing These Colleges To Succeed Against COVID-19
(Chronicle Of Higher Education)
“Healthy” UNC College Student, 19, Dies Of COVID-19
(CNN)
When Young People Get COVID-19, Infections Soon Rise Among Older Adults
(NPR)
How The NFL Plans To Respond To Its First COVID-19 Outbreak
(Washington Post)
The Intertwined Epidemics of COVID-19, Diabetes and Health Disparities
(StatNews)