State’s COVID cases climb 5,475; 47 new deaths
The 1,605 patients is an increase from 436 patients at the start of November. The highest peak of Massachusetts’ coronavirus hospitalizations was 3,965 on April 21.
Massachusetts health officials reported 5,475 new coronavirus cases Friday, following a weekly report putting 158 cities and towns in the red zone, while officials also recorded 47 new deaths from the virus.
Friday’s tally of 5,475 cases follows Thursday’s count of 5,130 cases and Wednesday’s near-record tally of 5,675 cases. Last Thursday was the highest single-day count for the state — 6,477 cases, of which 680 were backlogged.
Before last week, the oneday high for the state from the spring surge was 3,079 cases on April 23.
The state Department of Public Health on Friday also reported 47 more virus deaths, bringing the total state COVID-19 death toll to 11,010. The seven-day average of coronavirus daily deaths has dropped from a peak of 161 in May to 45 now.
The seven-day average of new confirmed cases was 3,069 on Friday, dipping slightly from totals above 4,000 earlier in the week.
Of the state’s 269,929 total cases, at least 187,221 people have recovered. Health officials estimate there are 65,741 active cases across the state.
The seven-day weighted average of the state’s positive test rate — removing highereducation institutions — keeps rising. That number at the start of September was 1.63%, but the rate is now 7.78%; the rate was 5.55% Monday.
The rate including highered institutions is 5.7%
Statewide coronavirus hospitalizations on Friday decreased by 2 patients, bringing the hospitalization total to 1,605.
There are 309 patients in the ICU, and 165 are intubated.
The 1,605 patients is an increase from 436 patients at the start of November. The highest peak of Massachusetts’ coronavirus hospitalizations was 3,965 on April 21.
Of the state’s total coronavirus deaths, 6,978 are connected to long-term care facilities, an increase of 13 from Thursday.
There have been 28,655 coronavirus infections among residents and staff of long-term care facilities.