[ad_1]
According to health officials, an additional 5,657 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Massachusetts, bringing the total statewide active cases to 98,317 cases.
Saturday’s new cases follow 112,120 new molecular tests and bring the seven-day positive test average to 6.15%. While that percentage is much higher than the low of 0.8% reached in September, the figure tends to decline this week, according to data from the Ministry of Public Health.
However, the state’s seven-day average is 7.4% without including higher education institutions, where frequent testing has kept the spread of COVID low.
DPH also reported 74 other virus-related deaths on Saturday. So far, throughout 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 hospitalization 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 hospital.
The seven-day average of new positive cases stands at 3,570. From January 3 to 9, the state recorded the highest number of COVID cases for Massachusetts to date, with more than 41,000 positive tests.
In Massachusetts, 229 cities have been labeled by DPH as “at high risk” for the spread of the virus.
The state launched the vaccinations last month. Since then, 32,984 people have achieved full immunization with a second dose of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. A total of 239,174 doses were administered in Massachusetts, according to data from the DPH.
On Monday, the state plans to begin vaccinations for the homeless, residents of group homes, substance use disorder treatment programs and emergency shelters, and inmates.
In Massachusetts schools, 523 students and 407 staff tested positive for COVID from Jan. 7 to 13, excluding students who learn remotely.
On Friday, DPH said that a flu shot requirement for almost all students was being eliminated for the 2020-2021 school year because the flu season has been moderate so far. The warrant was part of an effort to prevent hospitals from becoming overcrowded during the pandemic.
Cumulative COVID cases by county:
Barnstable: 7,204
Berkshire: 3,937
Bristol: 44,238
Dukes: 649
Essex: 70,581
Franklin: 1,580
Hampden: 32,627
Hampshire: 4,952
Middlesex: 91946
Nantucket: 981
Norfolk: 34,744
Plymouth: 31 347
Suffolk: 64,867
Worcester: 53,053
Related content:
[ad_2]
Source link