
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said the Covid-19 positive test rate in the state has gone up slightly from 1.7% to 2% because of “clusters” stemming from house parties and large gatherings.
"We've seen disturbing reports of large gatherings where people are letting down their guard, not wearing face coverings, not socially distancing, giving the virus the opening that it relentlessly seeks to spread," Baker said.
The state's Department of Public Health is investigating the clusters, which "include a large lifeguard party in Falmouth, a house party in Chatham," an unauthorized football camp and "a 90-person prom party that was held in Cohasset," the governor said.
The gatherings were planned by "both adults and young people and demonstrate an at times unwillingness to accept the fact that this virus is extremely contagious and in many cases invisible," Baker said.
Baker said he is now considering reducing the gathering size across the state due to the recent clusters.