Coronavirus cases in Massachusetts increase by 1,591 following largest spike in months

Massachusetts health officials on Friday reported 1,591 new coronavirus cases following Thursday’s highest daily case count in more than four months of 1,793 new infections.

Cases have been spiking amid the more highly contagious delta variant, and COVID hospitalizations and deaths have also been higher.

The daily jump of 1,591 cases brings the state’s total coronavirus case count to 703,961. The seven-day average of cases is now 1,005, which is up from 741 on the first of the month.

The daily average of percent positivity has been ticking down in recent weeks, as officials note this could be a sign that cases are beginning to stabilize. The percent positivity is now 2.75%, which has dropped slightly from 2.98% a couple of weeks ago.

State health officials also reported six new COVID deaths. The state’s total recorded death toll is now 18,218. The daily average of deaths is now 5.3, which has increased from around 3.0 in late July.

COVID hospitalizations increased Friday after they had previously declined for two days straight on Wednesday and Thursday. The increase of seven patients brings the hospitalization total to 572 patients.

There are now 149 patients in intensive care units, and 78 patients are intubated.

Of the total count of 572 patients, 160 of the patients are fully vaccinated — or 27%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case.

About 91% of hospital beds in the state are taken and 79% of ICU beds are occupied. More than half of hospitalized patients are 80 years or older.

As of Friday, more than 4.47 million Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated which represents about 64% of the state. More than 4.69 million have gotten least one dose, which is 67% of the state.

Massachusetts’ vaccination initiative, VaxMillions, has now ended and 10 total winners have been chosen for the prizes.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3Dr53RW