52 more virus deaths, hospitalizations rise
Gillette serves as coronavirus vaccination spot.
Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported 52 new coronavirus deaths and 3,224 new cases, while the count of COVID-19 hospitalizations rose after recently dropping.
Monday’s tally of 3,224 cases comes after Sunday’s 4,283 cases, Saturday’s 5,657 cases, and Friday’s 5,074. Monday’s lower count coincided with fewer tests across the Bay State.
The state’s highest ever single-day counts were in the previous week, when officials reported three straight days of 7,000-plus cases.
The 52 new virus deaths and one new probable virus death bring the state’s total COVID-19 death toll to 13,705. The seven-day average of daily deaths is now 62, down from 74 daily deaths last week. The death average peaked with 175 daily deaths in late April.
Of Massachusetts’ 473,441 total recorded cases, at least 324,203 people have recovered.
The count of estimated active cases in the Bay State was 16,561 in early November. Now in midJanuary, the number of estimated active cases is up to 98,750.
The seven-day weighted average of the state’s positive test rate — removing higher education — has dropped in the past two weeks. The rate is now 7.2% after peaking at 9.4% at the start of the year. The rate was 1.7% at the start of September.
Statewide coronavirus hospitalizations went up on Monday after dropping in the last week. Hospitalizations on Monday rose by 41 patients, bringing the hospitalization total to 2,206 patients. The total was 2,428 patients last week.
The total of 2,206 current patients is up from 436 patients at the start of November. The highest peak of Massachusetts’ coronavirus hospitalizations was 3,965 on April 21.
Of the 13,705 total deaths in Massachusetts, 7,771 deaths have been reported in long-term care facilities.
The U.S. has recorded more than 398,000 coronavirus deaths and 24 million cases. The country’s death toll and case count are the highest in the world.