Another 12 COVID deaths reported in Bay State
Massachusetts health officials on Friday reported 1,512 new coronavirus cases, as 12 more people died of COVID19 as hospitalizations went down slightly.
Infections have been higher with the presence of the more highly contagious delta variant, but daily case tallies have been lower in the past two weeks. The 1,512 new virus cases now bring the daily average of infections to 973. The daily average was 1,896 a month ago.
The daily average percent positivity has been down in recent weeks. The percent positivity is now 2.05%, compared to 2.98% last month.
State health officials reported 12 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 18,828.
The daily average of deaths has been climbing. The average is now 10.7, up from the record-low death count of 1.3 in mid-July.
COVID hospitalizations went down by 26 patients, bringing the total to 541 patients.
There are now 140 patients in intensive care units, and 80 patients are currently intubated.
Of the 541 total hospitalized patients, 198 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 36%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case.
The seven-day average of hospitalizations is 548, down from more than 600 at the end of September, but still an increase from a record low of 85 in August.
Overall in the Bay State, almost 4.7 million people are fully vaccinated, which is 67% of the population, and more than 5.1 million people have gotten at least one shot, which represents 72% of the population. The state reported that 236,853 people have received a booster dose.
A Food and Drug Administration panel recommended authorization for a booster dose for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson this week.
As of now, the only booster dose available is from Pfizer. Moderna and J&J boosters are likely to become available in the coming weeks.