448,045 vax shots given in Bay State in last week

More than 448,000 coronavirus vaccine doses were given across Massachusetts during the past week, yet again setting a record high for one week as state health officials on Thursday also reported a spike of 2,455 new virus cases and a rise in the number of high-risk communities.

More than 3.6 million total doses have been administered since the start of the state’s rollout, and 1,370,079 people are fully vaccinated, according to the daily vaccine report Thursday.

The state’s weekly vaccine report showed that 448,045 total doses have been administered since last week — an increase of 68,813 doses from the prior week’s record high mark of 379,232 shots.

Overall, the 3,638,590 total doses administered breaks down to 2,268,511 people who have received one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine; 1,279,486 people who have received both doses of Pfizer or Moderna; and 90,593 people who have received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vax.

Those figures represent a daily increase of 83,879 doses.

More than 4.3 million doses have been shipped to the Bay State, and more than 83% of total doses shipped to the state have been reported as administered.

Meanwhile, state health officials on Thursday reported 32 new virus deaths and 2,455 new cases.

The 2,455 new infections continues the recent spike in cases. The number of estimated active cases is now 32,868, up from 25,397 two weeks ago.

Thursday’s 32 new virus deaths bring the state’s total confirmed death toll to 17,217.

Statewide hospitalizations have been dropping amid the state’s vaccine rollout but have ticked up in the past week. Hospitalizations on Thursday increased by 10 patients, bringing the total to 700 patients.

A total of 1,045 staff and students in Massachusetts schools have tested positive for coronavirus in the past week, according to the state’s tally on Thursday. That’s the highest ever weekly case count.

The number of high-risk cities and towns rose for the third consecutive week, with 55 communities in the “red” zone this week. Cape Cod communities are dealing with a significant spike.

The state’s weekly report noted the rise in U.K., South

African and Brazilian variant cases.

“Surveillance data indicates that B.1.1.7 is widespread in Massachusetts and is circulating within communities,” reads the report. “Data has also identified B.1.351 and P.1 cases without any recent travel. It is critical to do everything possible to keep variants of concern from becoming more widespread.”