COVID cases in state bounce higher

Massachusetts health officials on Wednesday reported 1,471 new coronavirus cases, as COVID-19 hospitalizations increased and the positive test rate stayed at a lower level.

Infections have surged with the more contagious delta variant, but cases have been significantly down in recent weeks. The single-day average of COVID-19 cases is now 957, compared to 1,896 cases a month ago.

The average percent positivity is now 2.01%. The rate has been coming down from 2.98% several weeks ago.

The positive test average for Wednesday’s count was 1.89%.

State health officials reported 19 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 18,802.

The daily average of COVID deaths is now 11.1, compared to the record-low average of 1.3 in mid July.

After COVID hospitalizations rose by 15 patients, the state’s overall patient count is now 556 patients.

There are now 151 patients in intensive care units, and 91 patients are intubated.

Of the total 556 patients, 198 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 35%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case and hospitalization.

The most COVID patient admissions during the past two weeks have been in the 50-59 age group, accounting for 178 patients.

The 60-69 age group had 171 patients, both the 80-plus and the 70-79 age group had 159 patients, the 40-49 age group had 114 patients, the 3039 age group had 100 patients, and the 20-29 age group had 51 patients.

There were two patients who are 18 or 19 years old, five patients between 12 and 17 years old, and 10 patients under 12.

The state Department of Public Health released its weekly age group data, showing that the 30-39 age group now accounts for the most COVID cases over the last two weeks after the 20-29 age group had the most for several months.

The 30-39 age group had 2,857 cases during the last two weeks, followed by the 20-29 age group with 2,834 cases.

Almost 4.7 million people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated, and more than 5.1 million people have gotten at least one shot of the vaccine. The state reported that 214,281 people have gotten a booster dose.