Mass. virus cases spike 2,096 – the highest daily count in 5 months

Massachusetts health officials on Thursday reported a spike of 2,096 coronavirus cases, the highest daily count of COVID infections in five months as cases rise amid the delta variant.

The more than 2,000 single-day infections is the highest Bay State tally since April 10, with its count of 2,107 cases. The last time the state reported more than 2,000 cases in one day was April 14.

The 2,096 new virus cases now bring the daily average of infections to 1,142. Cases had been lower this week until Thursday’s high report.

The daily average percent positivity has been ticking down. The percent positivity is now 2.48%, compared to 2.98% a few weeks ago.

The positive test average was 2.47% for Thursday’s report.

State health officials also reported 18 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 18,332. The 18 COVID deaths are the highest single-day count since the report of 19 deaths on May 17.

The daily average of deaths is now 5.6, up from the record-low death count of 1.1 in mid-July.

COVID hospitalizations stayed the same on Thursday. The hospitalization total is now 622 patients.

There are now 166 patients in intensive care units, and 93 patients are currently intubated.

Of the 622 total patients, 178 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 29%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case.

More than 4.54 million people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated, and more than 5 million people have gotten at least one shot.