State reports 1,296 new COVID cases

State health officials on Wednesday reported 1,296 new coronavirus cases, a steady virus rate from last week as COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped across the region.

The state Department of Public Health’s report of 1,296 cases was similar to last Wednesday’s total of 1,252 infections.

The omicron BA.2 “stealth” variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S., according to the CDC.

The subvariant has sparked a rise in virus cases, along with more people gathering indoors without masks.

The Boston area’s COVID wastewater data is also going up.

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts average percent positivity has climbed to 2.66%, up from 1.60% a few weeks ago. The positive test average for Wednesday’s count was 2.07%.

State health officials reported three COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 20,134.

The daily average of COVID deaths is now four. The death rate had been much higher after omicron hospitalizations surged.

After COVID hospitalizations dropped by 18 patients, the state’s overall patient count is now 219 patients.

Hospitalizations had been spiking at a rapid pace amid the omicron surge, but then plunged.

Of the hospitalized COVID patients statewide, 35% of patients were reported as being hospitalized due to COVID — and 65% of hospitalized patients were reported as testing positive for COVID while hospitalized for other reasons.

Across the state, there are now 28 coronavirus patients in intensive care units, and 17 patients are intubated.

During the last two weeks, the 20-29 age group in the state had the most reported cases.

That age group’s 3,829 cases topped the 30-39 age group’s 2,208 cases.

More than 5.3 million people in Massachusetts are now fully vaccinated, and more than 6.1 million people have gotten at least one shot.

More than 2.9 million people have gotten a booster dose, and 76,341 additional booster doses have been administered.