Cases jump by 27%, hospitalizations rise

State health officials on Tuesday reported a continuing jump in new coronavirus cases, as COVID-19 hospitalizations also ticked up.

The state Department of Public Health reported 1,116 COVID-19 cases, a 27% increase from 882 infections recorded last Tuesday. Health officials are warning that the omicron BA.2 “stealth” variant is spreading around the region.

The Boston-area COVID wastewater data recently started to rise again. State health officials have been encouraging people to get a booster shot to get more protection from the variants.

The state’s average percent positivity is now 2.67%, up from the rate of 1.60% three weeks ago. The positive test average for Tuesday’s count was higher at 3.40%.

State health officials reported 12 COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 20,134. The 12 new deaths are from Saturday through Monday. The daily average of COVID deaths is now three. The death rate had been much higher after omicron hospitalizations surged.

After COVID hospitalizations increased by 21 patients, the state’s overall patient count is now 237 patients. Hospitalizations had been spiking in January, but plunged as the omicron variant receded.

There are now 27 coronavirus patients in intensive care units, and 20 patients are intubated across the state.

Of the total 237 hospitalized patients, 35% of the patients were primarily hospitalized for COVID, while 65% of the patients were considered incidental cases.

The state’s weekly breakthrough report was not posted on Tuesday.