Gov. expects 'tons more testing' for coronavirus
Photo | SHNS
Gov. Charlie Baker
Gov. Charlie Baker said Sunday he expects the number of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts to spike once testing for the virus becomes more commonplace.
Three private labs -- Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp and Thermo Fisher -- have also been given FDA approval in recent days to begin testing.
"I think you're going to see tons more testing and with tons more testing, yeah, you'll probably see a significant increase in the number of people who have been affected," Baker said.
Though he wouldn't put a time frame on it, he said the state's objective is to quickly ramp up testing to the point that at least 1,000 people a day can be screened for the virus, though either public or private labs. He said the goal of the state is to spread out the rise of infections and avoid a spike that would overwhelm the health care system. Baker also suggested that drive-through testing may soon become available.
"I certainly think you will probably see soon that kind of thing going on in the commonwealth," Baker said of the drive-through centers.
Baker, who appeared live on WCVB's Sunday morning talk show "On the Record," also said he will be filing legislation Monday dealing with unemployment insurance to address the impact the virus is having on businesses and workers.
The governor's appearance on television came as the state has positively identified 138 cases of coronavirus in Massachusetts, including 10 cases that have required hospitalization. The lack of available testing, however, has lead many to speculate that the number of people infected is much greater.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, who has stepped away from her day-to-day responsibilities to lead the state's coronavirus response, said Saturday that 475 people had been tested by the state laboratory, and that its capacity was expected to double by next week to 400 tests a day. Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, however, joined Baker on "On the Record" Sunday morning and said that since Feb. 28 there have been 799 patients tested by the DPH laboratory.
Baker on Friday used his emergency powers to issues an executive order banning most gatherings of 250 people or more, but said there were still some things he could not do alone under the state of emergency, and would be seeking the Legislature's assistance.
"One of the things we're going to ask them for is help with respect to unemployment insurance and we'll probably file legislation on that tomorrow," Baker said, indicating that he's already talked with lawmakers about his plans.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments