Breakthrough cases up 4,568
More than 4,500 fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts tested positive for the coronavirus last week, a daily average of about 650 people as the rate of breakthrough infections ticked back up amid the delta variant.
The count of 4,568 breakthrough cases was up from 3,919 breakthrough infections in the previous week and 4,415 cases during the week before that.
Last week had been the first time that the count of weekly breakthrough infections did not surpass the prior week’s total amid the more highly contagious variant. This week’s tally is the highest yet.
The rate of breakthrough infections week-over-week starting seven weeks ago spiked 64%, then the following week rose 20%, the next week climbed 25%, the subsequent week ticked up 20%, the following week jumped 23%, the next week increased by 16%, and in the last week rose 17%.
Breakthrough cases in Massachusetts are making up about 35% of the state’s overall cases. People who are unvaccinated are at a higher risk for infection and a severe case.
Overall, 32,345 fully vaxxed people have tested positive for the virus, according to new data from the state Department of Public Health on Tuesday. That’s 0.71% of the more than 4.5 million fully vaxxed people in Massachusetts.
The more than 32,000 overall cases is a jump of 4,568 breakthrough infections from last week — or a daily average of 653 fully vaccinated people testing positive.
Last Tuesday’s report showed an increase of 3,919 breakthrough cases, a daily average of 560 fully vaxxed people testing positive.
The week before that was a rise of 4,415 breakthrough cases, a daily average of 631 fully vaxxed people testing positive.
The previous week was a jump of 3,704 infections, a daily average of 529 fully vaxxed people.
The prior week was an increase of 3,098 infections, a daily average of 443 infections.
Breakthrough hospitalizations account for about 33% of current COVID-19 hospitalizations. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case and hospitalization.
There have been 1,001 hospitalizations among fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts, which represents 0.02% of those who are fully vaxxed.
The 1,001 total patients is a one-week increase of 178 fully vaxxed patients. That’s up from the previous weekly increase of 61 fully vaxxed patients, and the week before that was 111 patients.
The state has reported 217 breakthrough deaths, or 0.005% of those who are fully vaxxed. That’s a one-week increase of 23 deaths. The previous weekly increase was 32 deaths, and the week before that was 18 deaths.