Infections up 1,784
Massachusetts health officials on Friday reported 1,784 new coronavirus infections, as case rates and test positivity begin to trend downward.
The 1,784 new coronavirus cases now bring the daily average of infections to 1,185, which is down from 1,891 on Sept. 13. The rates are still much higher than the daily average two months ago, which was 430.
The daily average percent positivity has been ticking down in recent weeks. The percent positivity is now 2.09%, compared to 2.98% last month. Testing has ramped up in the past few weeks as college students returned to the region.
State health officials reported 13 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 18,540.
The daily average of deaths has been climbing. The average is now 12.1, up from the record-low death count of 1.3 in mid-July. That rate was around 10 at the beginning of the month.
Total COVID hospitalizations had gone down for six days straight, but increased on Friday.
COVID hospitalizations went up by 11 patients, bringing the total to 617 patients.
There are now 164 patients in intensive care units, and 93 patients are currently intubated. Of the 617 total hospitalized patients, 212 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 34%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case.
The seven-day average of hospitalizations is 645, which has remained fairly steady throughout the month. That rate was below 100 in July.
As of Friday, 4.6 million Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus, which is about 66% of the population.
More than 4.78 million have gotten at least one shot, which represents 68% of the population.
As of Friday, people who received a Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago might be eligible to get a booster shot. Those who are eligible are people 65-plus, or those 18 and older who have certain medical conditions or work in a place with high risk of COVID exposure, such as health care.