BOSTON (AP) — The number of people hospitalized in Massachusetts is continuing to climb as the state grapples with a second surge of COVID-19 cases.

There were nearly 920 people reported hospitalized Thursday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and more than 180 in intensive care units.

That’s a significant jump from the approximately 360 reported hospitalized two months ago.

The number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths increased by 27 on Thursday. The state reported more than 2,500 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19.

On average, about 2,620 cases had been confirmed per day in the seven days running up to Wednesday, according to The COVID Tracking Project.

The new deaths pushed the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 10,204, while its confirmed caseload since the start of the pandemic increased to more than 192,000.

The true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick.

The number of probable or confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported in long-term care facilities rose to 6,645 — or nearly 64% of all probable and confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the state.

Massachusetts is planning to open a field hospital in Worcester to prepare for a possible overflow of COVID-19 patients as the disease continues to surge again in the state.

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TOWN HALL CLOSED

Attleboro City Hall is being closed to the public for nearly two weeks after Thanksgiving in an effort to stem further spread of the coronavirus, the mayor says.

The closure from Nov. 26 until Dec. 7 is needed to fend off virus cases that employees and members of the public could pick up during Thanksgiving celebrations, Mayor Paul Heroux said Wednesday. During the shutdown, some city employees will work from home and some will work on staggered schedule, he said.

“The average incubation period is about 2-12 days. If we remain closed to the public, we will decrease the chances of this disease being further spread among our staff and their families,” he said in a statement.

As of Wednesday, 10 city employees had tested positive for the coronavirus and another nine were awaiting test results, he said. The Assessor’s Office and library were closed earlier this week for deep cleaning.

Heroux said it appears city employees are contracting the virus outside of work.