105 new coronavirus deaths reported

Massachusetts health officials on Sunday reported 105 new coronavirus deaths and 3,110 new cases, another high tally of deaths and cases amid a postChristmas surge as hospitalizations continued to tick up at already-strained Bay State hospitals.

Sunday’s tally of 3,110 cases follows an average of 4,271 cases over the previous two days.

Both cases and hospitalizations have skyrocketed since Thanksgiving, and cases have hit record highs since Christmas. The state on Thursday — the last day of 2020 — reported a record single-day high of 6,887 new cases.

Sunday’s 105 new virus deaths and three new probable virus deaths bring the state’s total COVID-19 death toll to 12,610. The 105 new deaths is nearly double the seven-day average of daily deaths, which is now 58. The seven-day average of daily deaths peaked at 161 in May.

Of Massachusetts’ 387,662 total recorded cases, at least 261,672 people have recovered. Health officials estimate there are 79,261 active cases across the state.

The seven-day weighted average of the state’s positive test rate — removing higher education institutions — is spiking. That number at the start of September was 1.63%, but the rate is now 9.28%. It was 7.26% a week ago.

Statewide coronavirus hospitalizations on Sunday went up by 11 patients, bringing the hospitalization total to 2,291.

The 2,291 patients is a significant 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 12,610 total coronavirus deaths, 7,428 are connected to long-term care facilities.

The U.S. has recorded more than 351,000 coronavirus deaths. The country’s death toll is the highest in the world.

More than 20.5 million coronavirus cases have been recorded in the U.S. — also the most in the world.