BOSTON — Between March 31 and April 30, Massachusetts added nearly 56,000 new COVID-19 cases — a one-month record that stood, until now.
More than 63,000 new COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in November, bringing the total cases statewide since the pandemic began to 218,329. COVID-19 has now killed more than 10,500 state residents — one of the highest per-capita death rates in the country.
But while April held the record for most COVID-19 cases through spring, summer and fall -- November’s reign as COVID-19 case king may be short. December, with likely chillier temperatures and numerous opportunities for friends and families to get together, is setting up to be another virus high-roller.
“It’s hard to imagine it’s going to get better,” said Kedar Deshpande, a pulmonary critical care physician at Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham. “People are traveling. People are visiting their families. People are not taking this seriously. And they are spreading the virus.”
Cases of COVID-19 have been steadily, but slowly, rising in Massachusetts since mid-summer. After dropping 65% between May and June and 92% from June to July, cases dramatically rose in August, but still remained under 9,000 for the month.
In September, about 11,000 cases were diagnosed -- but things really took off in October, when the number of monthly cases more than doubled. Colder temperatures and possibly Halloween gatherings may have set the stage for November’s surge.
“The recent spike has really worried me,” said Eddie Coyle of Quincy. “I’m wearing gloves and mask. Take my word for it. This is no joke. You can take that to the bank.”
Deshpande couldn’t agree more.
He said one of his big worries is the long-term possible effects COVID-19 might have on patients -- even those who are asymptomatic.
“It’s hard to know what these consequences are going to be long-term,” said Deshpande. “Will someone’s life span be shortened significantly? Are they at greater risk of sudden death because of cardiac injury that was subtle? So this virus is still unfolding all the damage that it’s doing.”
Already, Deshpande sees patients who have technically recovered from COVID-19, but who have a reduced quality of life -- because they can’t engage in activities they used to engage in -- or in as robust a way as pre-infection.
“It may go away in a year or two,” said Deshpande. “It certainly doesn’t seem to be going away quickly like pneumonia or the flu.”
Some think the rise in cases in November — despite the fact that several vaccines are on the horizon —portends a long road ahead.
“I don’t think we’re going to get away from these masks anytime soon,” said Polly Oakley of Norwood. “I think it’s probably going to be at least another six to eight months before we see these gone. I think it’s going to be quite a while.”
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