Virus cases jump 4,752

Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported almost 5,000 new coronavirus cases from over the weekend, while the positive test rate declined and COVID-19 hospitalizations increased.

The three-day total of 4,752 cases — a daily average of 1,584 infections — was a higher daily rate than last weekend’s daily average of 1,371 cases.

The seven-day average of cases is now 1,285, compared to the average of 158 daily infections two months ago.

Infections have been significantly higher amid the more highly contagious delta variant, while the positive test rate has been coming down in recent weeks. The daily average of percent positivity is now 2.22%, compared to 2.98% a few weeks ago.

State health officials also reported 19 COVID-19 deaths from over the weekend. The state’s total recorded COVID-19 death toll is now 18,369. The daily average of COVID-19 deaths is now 9.4, compared to the record-low daily average of 1.1 in July.

COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to increase over the weekend. The jump of 51 patients now brings the total to 675 patients.

There are now 170 patients in intensive care units, and 88 patients are currently intubated.

The total of 675 patients is more than eight times the total of 80 patients in early July.

The last time the Bay State reported around 700 COVID-19 patients in the hospital was in mid-April.

Of the 675 total patients, 180 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 27%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe COVID-19 infection.

There are now more than 4.55 million fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts.

More than 5 million people have gotten at least one shot of the vaccine.