COVID deaths hit five-month high

Massachusetts health officials on Tuesday reported 1,453 new coronavirus cases and 24 new COVID deaths, which was the highest single-day death count since early April.

Total COVID hospitalizations also eclipsed 700 patients for the first time since mid April.

Virus cases have been climbing for months amid the more highly contagious delta variant. Following

the rise in cases, hospitalizations have been ticking up and now more deaths are being reported.

The 24 new COVID deaths was the highest daily death count since April 3’s tally of 30 deaths. The state’s total recorded death toll is now 18,393.

The seven-day average of deaths is now 8.4. The record-low daily death average was 1.3 in mid July.

After the new 1,453 virus cases, the seven-day average of cases is now 1,362. Two months ago, the daily average was 177 infections.

The positive test average has been coming down, however. The percent positivity is now 2.28%, down from 2.98% last month.

There are now 716 COVID patients in the state, a daily increase of 41 patients. The last time the state reported more than 700 total hospitalizations was on April 19.

The state reported that 172 patients are in intensive care units, and 88 patients are currently intubated.

Of the 716 total hospitalizations, 202 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 28%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case.

The state Department of Public Health also reported 3,919 breakthrough cases from last week, which was down from 4,415 breakthrough infections during the previous week.

More than 4.56 million people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated.