State logs 1,448 new COVID cases

Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday reported 1,448 new coronavirus cases, as COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped and the positive test rate remained at a lower level.

Infections have surged with the more contagious delta variant, but have been lower in recent weeks. The single-day average of COVID19 cases is now 1,108, compared to 1,892 cases two weeks ago.

The average percent positivity is now 1.97%. The rate has been coming down from 2.98% last month.

The positive test average for Wednesday’s count was 1.49%.

State health officials reported 23 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 18,600. The daily average of COVID deaths is now 11, compared to the record-low average of 1.3 in mid July.

After COVID hospitalizations declined by 11 patients, the state’s overall patient count is now 632 patients.

There are now 165 patients in intensive care units, and 102 patients are intubated.

Of the total 632 patients, 199 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 31%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case and hospitalization.

The most COVID patient admissions during the past two weeks have been in the 70-79 age group, accounting for 191 patients.

The 80-plus age group had 187 patients, the 60-69 age group had 184 patients, the 50-59 age group had 163 patients, the 30-39 age group had 135 patients, the 40-49 age group had 115 patients, and the 20-29 age group had 62 patients.

There were five patients who are 18 or 19 years old, three patients between 12 and 17 years old, and eight patients under 12.

The state Department of Public Health also released its weekly age group data, showing that the 20-29 age group continues to account for the most COVID cases.

The 20-29 age group had 4,179 cases during the last two weeks, followed by the 30-39 age group with 3,442 cases.

The next highest age group is 4049 with 2,476 cases, and then it’s the 50-59 age group with 2,311 cases.

More than 4.6 million people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated, and more than 5.1 million people have gotten at least one shot of the vaccine.