Cases keep surging

State health officials reported more than 60,000 new coronavirus cases over the weekend, along with a continuing spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations as the omicron variant keeps wreaking havoc.

The last time the COVID hospitalization total was this high was in the spring of 2020.

The 60,986 infection total was a spike from last weekend’s postholiday surge of 31,184 cases — a 96% weekend jump.

Last week, the state’s virus case count again shattered its record-high daily total. More than 24,000 virus cases were reported each on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — and the daily high record was 27,612 infections set on Wednesday.

The extraordinarily contagious omicron variant is fueling this second winter surge. Officials are urging people to get vaccinated and receive the booster shot as soon as possible to get more protection.

The positive test average is now 22.39% — way up from 1.67% in late October. The positive test rate for Monday’s report was 20.42%.

The state reported 53 new COVID deaths, bringing the total recorded death toll to 20,643. The daily average of deaths is now 39, compared to the daily average of 77 deaths at the peak of last winter’s surge.

There are now 2,923 COVID patients hospitalized in the state, up 286 patients from 2,637 total patients on Friday. The 2,923 total patients is more than the peak of last winter’s surge. The last time the hospitalization level was around 3,000 patients was in May 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

The state reported that 432 patients are in intensive care units, and 273 patients are currently intubated.

Of the 2,923 total hospitalizations, 1,293 patients are fully

The positive test average is now 22.39% — way up from 1.67% in late October. The positive test rate for Monday’s report was 20.42%.

vaccinated — or about 44%. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case.

More than 5.1 million people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated, and more than 5.9 million people have gotten at least one shot.

The state reported that 2,332,025 have gotten a booster dose.