MA Weighs 'Additional Steps' With Another Surge Looming: Patch PM

Today is Monday, Dec. 21. Here are some of the top stories we are covering.

State officials are "begging" people to celebrate the holidays only with the people they live with, warning a "significant surge" of coronavirus cases could be on the horizon.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday afternoon said the spike in cases and hospitalization from Thanksgiving gatherings have slowed a bit, but not nearly enough. With Christmas just days away, Baker once again urged already weary people to exercise more restraint.

"We're basically begging everyone to stay within their immediate household over the course of this holiday season," the governor said.

The state saw more than 8,100 COVID-19 cases and more than 100 deaths related to the virus over the weekend. As of Sunday afternoon's report, have been at least 11,465 deaths. Nearly 2,000 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, and Baker said the health care system is under "immense pressure."

Baker said all options remain on the table to avoid a potential overflow of the system, but did not indicate if further restrictions were imminent.

"We’re currently reviewing additional steps that we can take to try to minimize the impact of all this," he said.

Other top stories

Credits Roll On Popular Movie Theater After More Than 5 Decades

Showcase Cinema de Lux Revere closed Sunday after more than 50 years. The theater chain's owner, National Amusements, previously announced in October it has signed an agreement to sell the site to Massachusetts-based developer Northbridge Partners.

"Showcase Cinemas is deeply committed to our Massachusetts and US theatrical exhibition business," a spokesperson for the company wrote in an email to Patch. "It has been our pleasure to serve the Revere community for more than 50 years. Due to business circumstances, we ceased operations on Sunday, December 20, 2020."

Amazon is eyeing the property for a distribution facility, Boston Business Journal reported. It would be the online retail giant's second location in Revere.

'Our Menu Doesn't Lend Itself To Takeout': Restaurants Fear Tighter Regulations

Five lawmakers on Beacon Hill are calling to shutdown all indoor non-essential businesses due to the COVID-19, but at least one restaurant owner says that move would close her business.

Among the State Reps. who sent a letter to Gov. Baker last week is Cambridge Democrat Mike Connolly. He wants to be "more proactive and more aggressive about stopping the virus now."

"We need to do a lot more, particularly around indoor dining, casinos – whatever is not essential," Connolly added.

Also

Reading HS Goes Remote After Possible In-School Transmission

Five students and two staff members tested positive, which is the highest two-day total in a school, Superintendent Doherty said.

Barnstable High School Principal Resigns

More information about hiring a new principal is expected to be shared after winter vacation.

Hyundai To Buy Waltham-Based Boston Dynamics

Hyundai Motor Group is set to buy a controlling stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group Corp in a $1.1 billion deal.

Worcester Moves To Remove Deadly Coes Reservoir Beach

Three people have drowned at Hillside Beach along Coes Reservoir since 2007, including one in 2020.

State Trooper Injured In Crash With Box Truck In Hyannis

State Police said someone driving a box truck blew a red light and struck a cruiser.

Melrose Neighborhood Brightens Up Holiday Season

Residents of the Horace Mann neighborhood lined the streets with some 2,000 luminaries this weekend, releasing some pent-up holiday cheer.

John Krasinski Brings Back 'Some Good News'

Newton native and actor John Krasinski brought his YouTube show back for the holiday.

Woman Killed In Crash On Martha's Vineyard

A 22-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash in Tisbury Saturday evening.