Virus cases, hospitalizations rise over the weekend

Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases from over the weekend, while the positive test rate declined and COVID hospitalizations dropped.

The three-day total of 4,364 cases — a daily average of 1,455 infections — was a lower daily rate than last weekend’s daily average of 1,584 cases.

The previous weekend’s daily average was 1,371 infections.

The seven-day average of cases is now 1,377, compared to the average of 317 daily infections two months ago.

Infections have been significantly higher amid the more highly contagious delta variant, while the positive test rate has been coming down in recent weeks.

The daily average of percent positivity is now 2%, compared to 2.98% last month.

The weekend’s positive test rate was 1.82%.

State health officials also reported seven COVID deaths from over the weekend.

The state’s total recorded COVID death toll is now 18,455.

The daily average of COVID deaths is now 9.6, compared to the recordlow daily average of 1.3 in July.

COVID hospitalizations dropped over the weekend. The decline of 63 patients now brings the total to 641 patients.

There are now 169 patients in intensive care units, and 108 patients are currently intubated.

The total of 641 patients is more than eight times the total of 80 patients in early July.

Of the 641 total patients, 215 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 33%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe COVID infection.

There are now more than 4.58 million fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts. More than 5 million people have gotten at least one shot of the vaccine.