Virus cases surge 6,419 – one of the highest single-day counts ever

Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday reported 99 new coronavirus deaths and 6,419 new cases, one of the highest single-day counts ever as cases surge in the wake of Christmas.

Wednesday’s count of 6,419 cases comes after Tuesday’s 4,178 cases and Monday’s 4,358 cases. Last Thursday — the final day of 2020 — was the state’s single-day record high of 6,887 new cases.

Wednesday’s 99 new virus deaths and three new probable virus deaths bring the state’s total COVID-19 death toll to 12,836. The seven-day average of daily deaths is now 51, a significant jump from 13 daily deaths in early October. The death average peaked with 175 daily deaths in late April.

Of Massachusetts’ 404,053 total recorded cases, at least 261,672 people have recovered. Health officials estimate there are 79,967 active cases across the state.

The seven-day weighted average of the state’s positive test rate — removing higher education — has surged to 9.4%. The rate was 7.3% in the week before Christmas, and 1.7% at the start of September.

Statewide coronavirus hospitalizations on Wednesday went down by 12 patients, bringing the hospitalization total to 2,416.

The 2,416 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 12,836 total deaths in Massachusetts, 7,501 deaths have been reported in long-term care facilities.

The U.S. has recorded more than 359,000 coronavirus deaths and 21.2 million cases. The country’s death toll and case count are the highest in the world.