54 more virus deaths, 4,239 new cases

Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported 54 new coronavirus deaths and 4,239 new cases, while Bay State first responders started rolling up their sleeves to get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Monday’s case count was yet another high number amid the post-holiday surge. The count was lower than recent days, but that coincided with fewer tests.

Monday’s tally of 4,239 cases comes after Sunday’s 5,396 cases, Saturday’s 7,110 cases, Friday’s 7,635 cases, and Thursday’s 7,136 cases.

Friday is the state’s single-day record high, and Thursday was the first time the state had reported more than 7,000 cases in one day.

Monday’s 54 new virus deaths and one probable virus death bring the state’s total COVID-19 death toll to 13,206. The seven-day average of daily deaths is now 54, a significant increase from 13 daily deaths in early October. The death average peaked with 175 daily deaths in late April.

Of Massachusetts’ 437,042 total recorded cases, at least 293,522 people have recovered. Health officials estimate there are 92,405 active cases across the state.

The seven-day weighted average of the state’s positive test rate — removing higher education — has surged in the last two months to 8.4%. The rate was 7.3% in the week before Christmas, and 1.7% at the start of September.

Statewide coronavirus hospitalizations on Monday went down by 14 patients, bringing the hospitalization total to 2,211 patients.

The 2,211 patients is a significant jump from 436 patients at the start of November. The highest peak of Massachusetts’ coronavirus hospitalizations was 3,965 on April 21.

Of the 13,206 total deaths in Massachusetts, 7,614 deaths have been reported in long-term care facilities.

The U.S. has recorded more than 375,000 coronavirus deaths and 22.5 million cases. The country’s death toll and case count are the highest in the world.