Cases decline for 3rd straight weekend

by Rick Sobey

Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported more than 3,000 coronavirus cases from over the weekend, the third straight weekend of fewer infections as the positive test rate declined and COVID hospitalizations ticked down.

The three-day total of 3,283 cases — a daily average of 1,094 infections — was a lower daily rate than last weekend’s daily average of 1,365 cases. The previous weekend’s daily average was 1,455 cases, and the weekend before that was 1,584 cases.

The seven-day average of cases is now 1,074, compared to the average of 1,892 daily infections three 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 1.69%, compared to 2.98% several weeks ago.

The weekend’s positive test rate was 1.54%.

State health officials reported 12 COVID deaths from over the weekend. The state’s total recorded COVID death toll is now 18,659.

The daily average of COVID deaths is now 13.4, compared to the record-low daily average of 1.3 in July.

COVID hospitalizations dropped over the weekend. The decline of 21 patients now brings the total to 581 patients.

There are now 164 patients in intensive care units, and 99 patients are currently intubated.

Of the 581 total patients, 178 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 31%. 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.

The state reported that 138,315 people have gotten a booster dose of the vaccine.