Massachusetts reports record-breaking number of daily coronavirus cases
State health officials on Wednesday reported the highest ever number of daily coronavirus cases, more than 20 months into the pandemic as infection counts surge ahead of Christmas.
The Department of Public Health’s report of 7,817 cases shatters the previous record high of 7,635 cases on Jan. 8.
Wednesday’s case tally is the tenth report of more than 5,000 daily infections since the start of December. Last December during the first winter surge, there were 11 days that surpassed 5,000 cases.
Infections are significantly up in the last month as more people gather indoors in the cold weather, while the highly transmissible omicron variant spreads at a rapid pace.
Vaccine immunity is waning six months after getting the vaccine, and health officials are urging residents to get a booster if they’re eligible for it.
The average percent positivity has now spiked to 7.02%. The positive test average for Wednesday’s count was 7.34%.
State health officials reported 33 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 19,963. The daily average of COVID deaths is now 24. The peak daily death average during last winter’s surge was 77 deaths.
After COVID hospitalizations increased by nine patients, the state’s overall patient count is now 1,621 patients. That count of 1,621 patients is the highest hospitalization count since Feb. 2.
There are now 353 patients in intensive care units, and 206 patients are intubated.
Of the total 1,621 patients, 470 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 29%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case and hospitalization.
More than 5 million people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated, and more than 5.8 million people have gotten at least one shot of the vaccine.
The state reported that more than 1.8 million people have received a booster dose.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3srxZWZ
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