COVID cases up 4,095 over the weekend

Lower than last weekend’s tally

Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases from over the weekend, the second straight weekend of fewer infections as the positive test rate declined and COVID hospitalizations ticked down.

The three-day total of 4,095 cases — a daily average of 1,365 infections — was a lower daily rate than last weekend’s daily average of 1,455 cases. The previous weekend’s daily average was 1,584 cases.

The seven-day average of cases is now 1,279, compared to the average of 1,892 daily infections two weeks ago.

Infections have been significantly higher amid the more highly contagious delta variant, but cases appear to be a bit lower as the positive test rate has been coming down in recent weeks. The daily average of percent positivity is now 1.87%, compared to 2.98% last month.

The weekend’s positive test rate was 1.68%.

State health officials reported 14 COVID deaths from over the weekend. The state’s total recorded COVID death toll is now 18,555.

The daily average of COVID deaths is now 10.9, compared to the record-low daily average of 1.3 in July.

COVID hospitalizations dropped over the weekend. The decline of 11 patients now brings the total to 606 patients.

There are now 158 patients in intensive care units, and 105 patients are currently intubated.

Of the 606 total patients, 194 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 32%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe COVID infection.

More than 4.6 million people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated, and more than 5.1 million people in the Bay State have gotten at least one shot of the vaccine.