Massachusetts - Coronavirus COVID-19

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Massachusetts reports 5,396 COVID cases, 77 more deaths on Sunday

Massachusetts public health officials reported 5,396 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of estimated active cases in the state to 90,567 as of Sunday, just days after the nation reached new records in COVID-19-linked deaths and case totals.

Throughout the pandemic, at least 413,329 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for the virus and 12,875 have died.

Another 77 deaths were recorded on Sunday, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The seven-day average rate of positive tests is at 7.21%, up from a low of 0.8% in September. Excluding tests from higher education institutions, where cases have remained low, the state’s seven-day average is 7.9%, DPH reported.

Currently, 2,225 people are being treated in hospitals for the virus, including 459 people in intensive care. The average age of hospitalized patients is 73, according to DPH.


COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts: The latest map and data

 

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Massachusetts reports 4,239 new COVID cases, 54 deaths on Monday


Massachusetts health officials reported 4,239 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, updating the total estimated active cases in the state to 92,405.

In addition, 54 more COVID-19 deaths were reported. This brings the total of confirmed COVID deaths in Massachusetts to 12,929 since the pandemic began.

New cases, deaths and hospitalizations continued a steady climb last week, but deaths and hospitalizations have started to dip some in the past few days. State officials attribute the boost last week to the holidays. New positive cases of the virus continued to rise last week, however.

Hospitalizations Monday had dipped down to 2,211, the sixth straight day that number has ticked downward after months on the rise. Of those hospitalized, 451 are in intensive care and 285 are intubated. The average age of COVID patients hospitalized is 73 years old.

 

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Massachusetts reports 5,278 new COVID cases, 86 more deaths on Wednesday; Some signs of slowing

Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday announced another 5,278 cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of active cases to 90,467 statewide.

Additionally, 86 more residents have died from illnesses related to the coronavirus. So far through the pandemic, 427,752 residents have tested positive for the virus and 13,082 have died, according to the Department of Public Health data.

The seven-day average of positive tests is 7.11%, a slight drop since Tuesday. Without including tests at higher education institutions, where COVID cases have remained low, the state’s seven-day average is 8.3%.

Currently, 2,200 people are hospitalized, with 461 people in intensive care units and 286 people intubated. The average age of hospitalized patients is 73, according to DPH.

Generally, hospitalizations are starting to trend downward after months of increases. The seven-day average of hospitalizations is currently 2,282. A low average of 155 patients was reached in August. Hospitalizations dropped slightly for six days in a row, then went up by eight yesterday and dropped by 19 patients today.

The seven-day average of confirmed cases stands at 4,009, a trend that appears to be decreasing. Though, Wednesday’s case count is higher than Tuesday’s report of 4,906 cases. Last week the state saw 40,644 new cases reported, the highest weekly number of COVID cases in Massachusetts yet.


COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts: The latest map and data

 

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Mass. reports 5,074 new COVID cases, 75 deaths Friday as some numbers start to trend downward


Another 5,074 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Massachusetts, according to health officials, bringing the number of active cases to 93,597 statewide.

Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Health on Friday announced another 75 deaths related to the virus.

Currently, 2,201 people are hospitalized with COVID, including 451 in the intensive care unit and 293 who are intubated, according to data from DPH. The seven-day average of hospitalizations is 2,236, starting to trend downward after months of increases.

The seven-day average of confirmed cases is 3,591, showing a downward trend despite high case counts earlier this month. From Jan. 3 to 9, the state saw the highest number of COVID cases for Massachusetts to date, with more than 41,000 cases.

There are now 229 towns and cities in the state that have been labeled by DPH as “high-risk” for spreading the virus.

Since vaccinations began last month, 32,984 people have reached full vaccination with a second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. In total, 239,174 doses have been administered in Massachusetts, according to DPH data.


COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts: The latest map and data

 

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https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/massachusetts-reports-5657-new-covid-cases-74-more-deaths-on-saturday.html
An additional 5,657 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Massachusetts, bringing the total of active cases statewide to 98,317, according to health officials.

Saturday’s new cases follow 112,120 new molecular tests and bring the seven-day average of positive tests to 6.15%. While that percentage is much higher than a low of 0.8% reached in September, the figure has been trending downward this week, according to data from the Department of Public Health.

However, the state’s seven-day average is 7.4% without including higher education institutions, where frequent testing has kept COVID spread low.

DPH on Saturday also reported another 74 deaths related to the virus. So far through the pandemic, at least 444,028 residents have tested positive and 13,305 have died.

As of Saturday, 2,197 people are hospitalized with the virus, including 433 in the intensive care unit and 294 who are intubated. The seven-day average of hospitalizations is 2,221, decreasing slightly after months of increases. The state saw its lowest figure in August, when an average of 155 COVID patients were in the hospital.

The seven-day average of new positive cases stands at 3,570. From Jan. 3 to 9, the state saw the highest number of COVID cases for Massachusetts to date, with more than 41,000 testing positive.


COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts: The latest map and data

 

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Mass. reports 4,283 new COVID cases, 67 deaths Sunday; state detects highly contagious variant

Massachusetts public health officials reported 4,283 newly-confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the same day officials said they detected for the first time the highly contagious strain that’s swept over the United Kingdom and spread to more than 50 countries.

At least 448,311 Massachusetts residents have contracted the virus statewide and 13,372 have died since the pandemic began.

Sunday’s stats bring the estimated active case total to 98,476 just as the nation approaches 24 million cases and 400,000 deaths nearly a year after the pandemic reached America.

The person who tested positive for the more contagious coronavirus variant is a Boston woman in her 20s who became ill after traveling to the U.K., DPH officials said Sunday afternoon.
“The individual developed symptoms in early January and tested positive for COVID-19,” according DPH. “A genetic sample was sent to an out-of-state laboratory as part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) established surveillance process to identify COVID-19 variants. The State Public Health Laboratory was notified last evening of the results.”

As of Sunday, there have been 88 reported cases of the highly contagious variant in 14 states.

The latest totals in Massachusetts come as the U.S. eclipsed 397,000 COVID-19-linked deaths and a total of 23.8 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.


The seven-day average rate of positive tests stands at 5.86%. The percentage is significantly higher than the low of 0.8% the state reached in September, but has still shown a downward trend over the last week, DPH said. Excluding higher education institutions, where frequent testing has helped keep COVID-19 isolated and prevented spread, the state’s seven-day average is 7.2%.

As of Sunday, at least 2,165 people are being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital, including 433 in intensive care. At least 288 are intubated, DPH said.

Since the state launched vaccinations last month, 32,984 people have reached full immunization with a second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. In total, 239,174 doses have been administered in Massachusetts, according to DPH data.

On Monday, the state will begin inoculations for homeless individuals, residents of group homes, substance use disorder treatment programs and emergency shelters, and inmates.


COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts: The latest map and data

 

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Mass. reports 3,987 new COVID cases, 78 deaths as average age of those hospitalized drops to 71

State health officials confirmed another 3,987 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the number of active statewide cases to 90,154.

The number of new COVID cases in the state has declined since reaching a pandemic peak the week of Jan. 3. Cases last week dropped by about 27% from the week before.

Officials also announced another 78 COVID-related fatalities Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths from the respiratory infection in Massachusetts to 13,547. Although deaths had been steadily climbing for 11 weeks, they leveled out two weeks ago and showed a slight decline last week.

The average age of those hospitalized with the virus lowered from 73 last week to 71 this week. The average age of people who tested positive was 39 and the average age of COVID deaths in Mass. went from 81 at the end of December to 79 now.

As of Wednesday, there are 2,209 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including 444 patients in intensive care, 299 of whom are intubated. Hospitalizations had been on the rise, but have leveled out in the past week.

The seven-day average of positive tests is now 5.86

The latest numbers come as health officials confirm a second case of the highly infectious strain of COVID-19, with the first announced on Sunday.

 

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Massachusetts saw 27% drop in new COVID cases last week; 4,821 new cases, 75 more deaths reported Thursday

State health officials confirmed another 4,821 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday

Health officials also announced another 75 COVID-related fatalities, for a total now of 13,622 Massachusetts deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The seven-day average of positive tests is currently 5.57%.

The number of new COVID cases dropped last week by 27% compared to the prior week beginning Jan. 3, but remains about 40% higher than weekly cases were prior to Thanksgiving.

At the same time, health officials warn of a new more contagious strain of the virus that has now been identified in Massachusetts. The new strain has not shown to make people sicker or increase hospitalizations but has shown to be more easily transmitted.

The number of new COVID deaths also dropped slightly last week and hospitalizations have remained stable after three months of rising.

There are now 2,152 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including 430 people in intensive care, 287 of whom are intubated.

The latest numbers come as Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the state will be lifting the curfew on restaurants and other businesses amid a slight decline in COVID activity.
Starting Monday, the 9:30 p.m. curfew for table service in restaurants and other businesses will be lifted, Baker said on Thursday. Under the restrictions, which Baker announced in November, dining establishments could stay open for takeout and delivery past the curfew, but could not serve patrons inside.

“Vaccines are reaching residents, positive case rates have stabilized,” Baker said during a press conference Thursday. “Those trends are moving in the right direction. As a result, we believe it’s ok and it’s time to start gradually easing on the restrictions we put in place.”

Massachusetts officials are also lifting the stay-at-home advisory, which instructed all residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., but keeping the 25% capacity limit on businesses until at least Feb. 8.

Health officials confirmed a second case of the highly infectious strain of COVID-19 this week, with the first announced on Sunday. The first case of B.1.1.7 was confirmed in a Boston woman in her 20s. Officials did not elaborate on the second case.

On Tuesday, Baker announced the state will be expanding its COVID vaccine rollout to CVS Health and Walgreens pharmacies across the state. As part of that expansion, Baker also confirmed that Fenway Park will become the state’s second mass vaccination site, after announcing Gillette Stadium as the first last week.

 

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Downward trend continues as Massachusetts reports 4,935 new COVID cases, 80 more deaths on Friday

Massachusetts health officials on Friday reported another 4,935 cases of COVID-19, bringing the total of active cases to 89,433 statewide.

Additionally, 80 more residents have died from the coronavirus, according to the Department of Public Health. So far through the pandemic, 467,845 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for the virus and 13,702 have died from related illness.

The CDC has forecast that Massachusetts will likely see at least 15,000 total coronavirus deaths by mid-February, while nationwide, the death toll could surpass half a million.

Friday’s new cases follow 105,768 new molecular tests. The seven-day average of positive tests stands at 5.51%. While the percentage is much higher than a low of 0.8% reached in September, data from DPH shows that the rate has been slowly decreasing this month.

Without considering COVID tests at higher education institutions, where frequent testing has helped keep case counts low, the state’s seven-day rate of positivity is 7.1%, according to DPH.

The number of new cases is also starting to trend downward, though case counts remain higher than before the holiday season. The number of new COVID cases dropped by 27% the week beginning Jan. 10 compared to the prior week beginning Jan. 3, but remains about 40% higher than weekly cases were before Thanksgiving.

The seven-day average of new cases is 2,965 as of Friday. The state’s low was reached in July, with an average of 156.

There are 2,098 people hospitalized with the virus, including 426 patients in the intensive care unit and 282 who are intubated. The rate of hospitalizations has been mostly steady this month, with a current seven-day average of 2,180, per DPH data.

As of Thursday, 359,919 doses of the coronavirus vaccines have gone out in Massachusetts, according to DPH. So far, 51,547 residents have received both doses

 

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Massachusetts reports 4,330 new COVID cases, 75 more deaths on Saturday

Massachusetts health officials have announced another 4,330 cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of active cases to 92,193 statewide.

The new cases follow 112,391 new molecular tests and bring the seven-day average of positive tests to 5.17%, according to data from the Department of Public Health.

DPH on Saturday also announced 75 more deaths related to the coronavirus. So far through the pandemic, 472,175 residents have tested positive and 13,777 have died.

The number of new cases has recently started to trend downward, a metric Gov. Charlie Baker cited this week in announcing that a 9:30 p.m. curfew for table service at Massachusetts restaurants and other businesses will be lifted on Monday.

The seven-day average of positive tests is 2,949, according to data. A low average of 156 was reached in July.

Though the seven-day average of positive tests has started to decrease, the figure is higher without considering tests at colleges and universities, where case counts have remained low. Without higher education, the state’s seven-day average is 6.7%.

As of Saturday, 2,055 people are hospitalized with the virus, including 418 patients in intensive care units and 291 who are intubated. The seven-day average of hospitalizations is 2,161, a figure that has been steady recently.

 

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Massachusetts reports 3,750 new COVID cases, 67 more deaths on Sunday

Massachusetts public health officials reported another 3,750 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 67 new coronavirus-linked deaths on Sunday

There are currently an estimated 91,507 active cases statewide, according to the state Department of Public Health. Since the pandemic hit the U.S. about a year ago, 475,925 residents have tested positive and 13,844 have died, DPH said.

The latest data is based on 101,327 new molecular tests. Throughout the course of the pandemic, at least 12.9 million tests have been administered in Massachusetts.

The seven-day average rate of positive tests has dipped below 5%, at 4.85%, according to DPH. Excluding testing from higher education institutions, where case totals have been low, the positive test rate is 6.4%.

Based on recent downward trends in cases, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that a 9:30 p.m. curfew for table service at Massachusetts restaurants and other businesses will be lifted on Monday.

As of Sunday, 1,946 people are being treated in the hospital for the virus, including 409 patients in intensive care and 286 who are intubated. The seven-day average of hospitalizations is at 2,130.


The latest state figures come as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it is working with officials in the United Kingdom to review recent data suggesting there is “a realistic possibility” that the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant is not only more contagious but deadlier.

More than one case has been discovered in Massachusetts, including a Worcester County resident who traveled to the U.K. during the holiday season.

For more on the B.1.1.7. strain, read here.

Public health officials say existing vaccines will still blunt the highly-contagious strain.

As of last week, 359,919 doses have been administered across Massachusetts since Dec. 15 when vaccinations began, according to DPH.



COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts: The latest map and data

 

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Massachusetts reports 2,215 new COVID cases, 41 deaths on Tuesday

State health officials confirmed another 2,215 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the number of active statewide cases to 85,395.

Officials also announced another 41 COVID-related fatalities on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 13,930 since the pandemic began.

There are 1,951 Massachusetts residents hospitalized for COVID-19 statewide, including 431 in intensive care, 278 of whom are currently intubated, data shows.

The percent positivity is currently 4.77%.

Massachusetts has seen a decline in new cases and hospitalizations over the last two weeks, but officials continue to urge that residents abide by health and safety protocols: wear a mask and socially distance.

On Tuesday, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced the city will be moving into the first step of the third phase of the state’s reopening plan on Feb. 1 after extending restrictions on certain businesses through January. City officials say the positive test rate has declined, and that COVID activity in hospitals has begun to trend downward.

“We’re encouraged by seeing these numbers go down a bit,” Walsh said during a press conference on Tuesday.

COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts: The latest map and data

 

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Mass. reports 3,022 new COVID cases, 83 deaths on Wednesday

State health officials confirmed another 3,022 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 80,909. That’s based on 96,203 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Officials also announced another 83 COVID-related fatalities, for a total of 14,013 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began.

There are currently 1,930 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 418 people in intensive care, 270 of whom are intubated.

The seven-day average of positive tests is now 4.67%.

 

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Massachusetts reports 2,781 new COVID cases, 98 deaths as active cases drop 37% from peak week

State health officials confirmed another 2,781 COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 74,595.

Health officials also announced another 98 COVID-related fatalities on Friday, bringing the death toll during the pandemic to 14,154.

There are currently 1,789 patients hospitalized with coronavirus across Massachusetts, including 412 needing intensive care, 248 of whom are currently intubated.

The seven-day average of positive tests is now 4.28%.

The number of Massachusetts cities and towns at high risk for COVID spread is now 192, as COVID activity continues to decline across the state and the U.S. The percentage of the state population living in high risk territories declined by nearly 20% from the prior two-week period, according to data analyzed by MassLive/The Republican.

The number of new COVID cases last week dropped by 37% from the week of Jan. 3, when they hit their peak. Hospitalizations have dropped 26% since the peak in early January.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday said officials will be setting up a vaccine hotline to help residents navigate the state’s online portal, which rolled out earlier this week for residents age 75 and older. Baker acknowledged the frustration some have expressed with the new system.

“The two big issues we heard yesterday were, number one, we need some sort of a call center that people who can’t use the online system can access. We agree with that, and that’ll be happening next week,” Baker said. “The second thing is the ongoing concern about when I’m going to get my appointment.”

 

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Massachusetts reports 3,957 new COVID cases, 87 more deaths on Saturday


Massachusetts health officials have announced another 3,957 cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of active cases to 72,965 statewide.

Additionally, 87 more residents have died from illness related to the virus. So far through the pandemic, at least 495,599 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for the coronavirus and 14,241 have died, according to data from the Department of Public Health.

The seven-day average of positive tests stands at 3.89%. That figure has been trending downward, though is still much higher than a low of 0.8% reached in September. The seven-day average of confirmed cases is 2,414, another metric that has been decreasing.

Not counting COVID tests at colleges and universities, where frequent testing has kept case counts low, the state’s seven-day average is 5.9%, according to the data.

As of Saturday, 1,739 people are hospitalized with the virus, including 393 in the intensive care unit and 239 patients who are intubated. The seven-day average of hospitalizations has been dropping this month and is currently 1,905, according to DPH.

COVID-19 in Massachusetts: Outbreak data, vaccine info

 

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Massachusetts reports 2,546 new COVID cases, 46 more deaths on Sunday

Massachusetts public health officials on Sunday reported another 2,546 cases of COVID-19 and 46 new COVID-linked deaths.

The latest data from the state Department of Public Health brings the estimated number of active cases to 71,948 statewide. Since the pandemic hit the U.S. a year ago, at least 498,145 Massachusetts residents have tested positive and 14,287 have died, according to DPH.

The seven-day average rate of positive tests stands at 3.61%. The rate has trended downward, though it’s still much higher than the low of 0.8% reached in September. Excluding COVID tests at colleges and universities, which have kept case counts low and tested frequently, the state’s seven-day average is 5.3%.

As of Sunday, 1,676 people were hospitalized with the virus, including 371 in intensive care unit and 231 patients who are intubated. The seven-day average of hospitalizations has been dropping this month and is currently at 1,858, DPH said.

 

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Massachusetts surpasses 500K total COVID cases since start of pandemic; officials reports 2,270 new cases, 30 deaths on Monday


State health officials confirmed another 2,270 COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of cases statewide to 500,415 since the start of the pandemic.

There are currently 71,929 active infections across Massachusetts, a number which continues to decline as viral activity diminishes.

Health officials also announced 30 more COVID-related fatalities Monday, bringing the death toll to 14,317 statewide.

There are currently 1,676 Massachusetts patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including 373 patients in intensive care, 222 of whom are intubated.

The seven-day average of positive tests is currently 3.53%.

Health officials say there are now five cases of the COVID variant that first emerged in the United Kingdom in Massachusetts. The CDC says there’s been a total of 467 confirmed cases of the variant, called B.1.1.7, in 32 U.S. states.

The mutated infection is said to spread more easily, but officials are confident that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines still offer protection. Three cases of the South African variant, called B.1.351, have been discovered in two states across the U.S.

COVID-19 in Massachusetts: Outbreak data, vaccine info

 

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Massachusetts reports 1,963 new COVID cases, 45 deaths on Tuesday as 7-day average of positive tests drops to 3.44%

State health officials confirmed another 1,963 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 67,650.

Health officials also announced another 45 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the total number of deaths since the pandemic began to 14,362.

There are currently 1,631 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across Massachusetts, including 353 in intensive care, 224 of whom are currently intubated.

The seven-day average of positive tests has declined to 3.44%.

Over the last seven days, the New York Times reports there’s been an average of 146,486 new cases per day nationwide, which is down roughly 29% from the average two weeks earlier.The Times reports that the last time the country averaged fewer than 150,000 cases a day was in November, before the holiday spikes.

In Massachusetts, A MassLive analysis of weekly COVID cases show cases have declined for three weeks in a row, dropping 52% last week from the peak week of Jan. 3. Hospitalizations, which began slowly rising in September after a summer of low numbers, hit another peak on Jan. 4 and have been declining since. New COVID deaths also peaked the week of Jan. 3 and have been slowly but steadily declining. Although some reports are still coming in from last week, a look at the data shows deaths the week of Jan. 24 were at 368 compared to 495 three weeks earlier.

 

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Mass. COVID cases, deaths continue drop as state reports 2,186 new cases, 53 deaths Wednesday

State health officials confirmed another 2,186 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 64,431.

Officials also confirmed another 53 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the death toll from the pandemic to 14,415.

Wednesday’s case load is based on 91,693 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

There are 1,635 patients hospitalized in Massachusetts with COVID-19, including 335 patients in intensive care, 203 of whom are intubated.

The seven-day average of positive tests is 3.30%.

 

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COVID-19 in Massachusetts: Outbreak data, vaccine info


About 20% of new COVID cases in Mass. are people under 19
State health officials confirmed another 2,982 COVID-19 cases and 74 virus-related fatalities on Friday, according to the latest data from the Department of Public Health.

The number of active statewide cases is 59,934.

There are currently 1,503 patients hospitalized with the virus, including 322 in intensive care, 196 of whom are intubated.

The seven-day average of positive tests dropped to 3.16%.

There have now been a total of 510,148 COVID cases and 14,563 deaths in Massachusetts since the pandemic began.

Roughly 20% of new cases, or 10,332, over the last two weeks have been in people younger than 19, according to the state data. Twenty-somethings saw the second highest number of new infections with 9,334, or roughly 18%. Residents over the age of 70 accounted for less than 10%, data shows.

Conversely, residents over the age of 70 made up more than 80%, or 706, of deaths over the last two weeks. Residents in their twenties or younger comprised less than .5%, or four, virus fatalities, data shows.

Over the last 14 days, average age of death was 80.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday said there’s been a “pretty significant downward trend” in viral activity statewide. Beginning on Monday, restaurants, gyms and museums, among many other businesses and venues, can up their capacity from 25% to 40% amid encouraging numbers over the last few weeks. Boston officials also announced Friday that they would follow the state’s lead in expanding capacity for those businesses.

A call center set up to help residents book appointments to get the vaccine went live on Friday following complaints from residents having trouble navigating the online system.