2,184 new coronavirus cases, nine deaths
State health officials on Friday reported 2,184 new coronavirus cases and nine new deaths as hospitalizations dropped slightly and vaccination efforts continue to improve.
The number of estimated active cases across the state is now 39,331, which is up from 25,397 two weeks ago. Cases have been spiking in recent weeks.
A total of 615,947 Massachusetts residents have now been infected with COVID19. The seven-day average of confirmed coronavirus cases is now 1,408, a decrease from 1,555 just one week ago.
Friday’s nine new virus deaths brings the state’s total confirmed death toll to 17,375. The seven-day average death rate is 15. The lowest that rate has ever been was 3.7 in September.
The state’s seven-day average weighted test positivity rate is 2.35%, down from 2.55% a week ago and still well below the World Heath Organization threshold of 5% for safe reopening.
Statewide hospitalizations have been dropping amid the state’s vaccine rollout but have ticked up recently.
However. hospitalizations on Friday did drop by 24 patients, bringing the total to 711 patients. There are 174 patients in the ICU and 106 are intubated.
The seven-day average of the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 has declined from 2,347 patients at the start of January to an average of 710 patients now. The lowest rate ever was 155 in late August. Across the state, about 87% of hospital beds are occupied and 75% of ICU beds are taken.
Of the state’s total deaths from the virus, 9,014 deaths have been in long-term care facilities, where the majority of staff and residents are now fully vaccinated as they were among the first groups on the priority list.
Vaccine rollout in Massachusetts hit record levels in the past week, and so far, 5.1 million vaccine doses have been delivered to Massachusetts and 4.3 million have been administered.