State reports 34% jump in new COVID cases

COVID-19 rates continue to jump across the region, as state health officials on Wednesday reported almost 4,000 new virus cases while hospitalizations also kept going up.

The state Department of Public Health’s report of 3,996 cases was a 34% increase from last Wednesday’s total of 2,985 infections. The omicron BA.2 “stealth” variant has sparked a rise in COVID cases. The Boston-area COVID wastewater data had briefly dipped, but the wastewater is now climbing again.

The state’s average percent positivity has jumped to 7.89%, significantly up from 1.6% two months ago. The positive test average for Wednesday’s count was 7.26%.

State health officials reported seven COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 20,365.

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

After COVID hospitalizations increased by 41 patients, the state’s overall patient count is now 743 patients. Total hospitalizations surpassed 700 patients on Tuesday — the first time that had happened in almost three months as hospitalizations rise again.

Of the hospitalized COVID patients statewide, 32% of patients were reported as being hospitalized due to COVID — and 68% of hospitalized patients were reported as testing positive for COVID while hospitalized for other reasons.

Across the state, there are now 57 coronavirus patients in intensive care units, and 31 patients are intubated.

During the last two weeks, the 20-29 age group in the state again had the most reported cases. That age group’s 8,841 cases topped the 30-39 age group’s 6,553 cases.

More than 5.3 million people in Massachusetts are now fully vaccinated, and more than 3 million people have gotten a booster dose. Also, 359,059 additional booster doses have been administered.