BOSTON (AP) — An increase in the number of COVID-19 cases could force Massachusetts to once again open field hospitals to care for a possible overflow of patients as hospital intensive care units fill up, Gov. Charlie Baker warned Tuesday.

Hospitals are also prepared to make an additional 400 beds available for COVID-19 patients by converting acute care beds to ICU beds to deal with an expected rise in cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus during the fall and winter, Baker said at a press conference.

“The trends obviously are going in the wrong direction and show no signs of changing,” he said.

When and where field hospitals might be set up depends on space and need, Baker said. More details about field hospitals will be coming later this week, he said.

Massachusetts residents had done a good job controlling the virus after an initial spike in the spring, but are getting careless and allowing the virus to get a toehold again, leading to a second surge, he said.

“When it comes down to it, controlling this virus depends in many ways on the everyday actions of everybody,” Baker said. “COVID is merciless and will continue to grow and spread whenever it is given the opportunity.”

Statistics released by the state on Tuesday showed nearly 620 individuals with confirmed cases of COVID-19 were hospitalized, with 150 in intensive care units.

The state has also submitted a vaccine distribution plan to the federal government once a vaccine is made available, Baker said.

Baker faulted what he described as a leadership vacuum in the federal government at a time when cases are surging across the nation.

“We are in a very critical moment with respect to this nation’s response to this virus and there isn’t guidance, direction or a consistent message coming from D.C.,” he said.

------

VIRUS BY THE NUMBERS

On Tuesday, Massachusetts reported 21 newly confirmed coronavirus deaths as the number of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 again soared past 2,000.

The new deaths pushed the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 9,957 and its confirmed caseload to nearly 170,000.

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

There were nearly 620 people reported hospitalized Tuesday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 150 in intensive care units.

The number of probable or confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported in long-term care facilities rose to more than 6,500.

------

VIRUS-PRISON OUTBREAK

An outbreak of COVID-19 is growing in a Massachusetts prison.

At least 140 incarcerated people have tested positive for the coronavirus at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Norfolk, a medium-security facility, as of Monday, GBH News reported.

No deaths have been reported from the most recent outbreak, but two prisoners have been transferred to a hospital, the station reported.

Elizabeth Matos, head of Prisoners’ Legal Services, a Boston advocacy group, told GBH News that the prison's inmate population is older and sicker than those at other state facilities and therefore more at risk of coronavirus-related complications.

Nearly 21% of MCI-Norfolk's population is 60 years old or older, compared with about 12% systemwide, GBH News reported. It also houses a special, 20-bed unit for some of the state’s most ailing prisoners.

Eight inmates have died and more than 500 have tested positive for the coronavirus in the state prison system, the station reported, citing data from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.

The outbreak comes as U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins sent a letter to Baker on Tuesday urging him to release from prison older individuals, individuals with preexisting medical conditions, juveniles, pregnant individuals, and those with less than a year remaining on their sentence.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has manifested unprecedented challenges to the health and wellbeing of communities throughout the Commonwealth, including our neighbors and loved ones behind the wall,” Pressley and Rollins wrote.

“As Governor, you have significant authority to limit the deadly spread of COVD-19 and reduce the prison population before it is too late," they added.

------

NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

New England’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration is going virtual as coronavirus cases surge across the country.

First Night Boston said Tuesday it will not hold any in-person or live events as it transitions its annual Dec. 31 event to an online and broadcast format this year.

Local television stations will air performances, interviews and tributes to front-line workers through the day.

First Night traditionally spotlights Boston's arts and music community with a range of events and performances that draw large crowds downtown.