Virus cases up 5,278

Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday reported 86 new coronavirus deaths and 5,278 new cases, another spike while every Bay State nursing home is on track to finish the first round of administering the COVID-19 vaccine this week.

Wednesday’s tally of 5,278 cases comes after three days of more than 7,000 cases last week. Single-day cases in the last week have hit record highs, and Boston area wastewater data shows the state could see even higher counts in the near future.

Wednesday’s 86 new virus deaths bring the state’s total COVID-19 death toll to 13,359. The seven-day average of daily deaths is now 67, up from 11 daily deaths in September. The death average peaked with 175 daily deaths in late April.

Of the 13,359 total deaths in Massachusetts, 7,666 deaths have been reported in long-term care facilities.

Meanwhile, hard-hit nursing homes in the Bay State are wrapping up the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations.

“By the end of this week, all skilled nursing facilities in Massachusetts will have had their first vaccination clinic with either CVS or Walgreens,” Gov. Charlie Baker said at a Wednesday press conference.

Of Massachusetts’ 448,447 total recorded cases, at least 293,522 people have recovered. Health officials estimate there are 90,467 active cases across the state.

Statewide coronavirus hospitalizations have recently surged but have dropped in the past week. Hospitalizations on Wednesday went down by 19 patients, bringing the hospitalization total to 2,200 patients. The total was 2,428 patients last week.

The 2,200 current patients are still a significant increase from 436 patients at the start of November. The highest peak of Massachusetts’ coronavirus hospitalizations was 3,965 on April 21.

The seven-day weighted average of the state’s positive test rate — removing higher education — has climbed in recent months but dropped in the last week. The rate is now 8.3% after peaking at 9.4% at the start of the year. The rate was 1.7% at the start of September.

The U.S. has recorded more than 383,000 coronavirus deaths and 22.9 million cases. The country’s death toll and case count are the highest in the world.