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Federal officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated mask guidance this week to suggest Americans choose N95 or KN95s if possible, as respirators better stem the spread of SARS-CoV-2 spread this winter.

As the coronavirus sickens hundreds of health care workers across Massachusetts, some hospitals are in the dark about how many more National Guard members, if any, they should expect to receive in the coming days.

BOSTON (CBS) – Massachusetts hospital leaders issued a dire warning Friday that they’re “in crisis” and “every corner of our healthcare system is gasping for air.”

RANDOLPH, Mass. — The positivity rate at the Randolph Covid testing site has dropped since just after the holidays, but it’s still an astounding 30-40 percent on a day-to-day basis, said Liz LaRosee, one of the town coordinators.

WORCESTER -  Over a dozen beds fill the room at the American Red Cross blood donation center on Plantation Street. During a 45-minute visit on Wednesday afternoon, only one of them was occupied. 

WORCESTER, Mass. - There are currently 460 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Central Massachusetts, a number 20% higher than at any point during the first two coronavirus surges. 

Six in 10 Americans have a chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have received a diagnosis of 2 or more chronic diseases.¹ Millions of Americans live with and manage cancer; diabetes; epilepsy; Alzheimer disease; heart, lung, and kidney disease; rheumatoid arthritis; and other conditions.

Twenty-six million. That's how many rapid at home tests will be flooding into the state over the next three months. Those tests, according to Gov. Charlie Baker, will be earmarked for K-12 education and childcare.

The American Red Cross has declared its first-ever national blood crisis in the U.S., warning the public about the worst shortage in over a decade.

Starting Monday, Massachusetts hospitals will differentiate between patients they admit primarily for COVID-19 and those admitted to be treated for something else who end up testing positive.

BOSTON (CBS) – As colleges and universities across the state prepare to welcome back their students to full in person learning, school officials are doing their part to make sure students are well informed and prepared about new COVID-19 protocols and requirements.

WORCESTER — COVID-19 continues to wallop Central Massachusetts, with UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson reporting a 40% positivity rate Monday at testing sites, while hospitalizations that have surpassed previous pandemic highs.