Massachusetts Reports 1,046 new COVID cases as data shows infections soar 65% last week

Massachusetts health officials on Thursday reported 1,046 new cases of COVID-19[female[feminine and two more deaths linked to the virus.

Updated data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shows new cases of the virus increased 65% last week from the previous week – from 3,350 to 5,526. So far, the new cases of this week are on track to match or surpass those of last week as the most contagious delta variant continues to spread.

The seven-day average of the percentage of positivity stands at 2.61%, an increase from a pandemic low of 0.31% on June 25, according to data from the Department of Public Health.

So far during the pandemic, at least 677,433 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for the virus and 17,725 have died, the data shows.

Currently, 264 people are hospitalized with the coronavirus, including 55 in intensive care and 19 who are intubated. The seven-day hospitalization average hit a pandemic low on July 9, with about 84 people hospitalized.

The seven-day average of confirmed cases is 659.6, up from a low of 64 on June 25.

There have been 10,274 additional vaccinations since Wednesday. As of Thursday, 4,379,665 people in Massachusetts were fully vaccinated. About 62% of the state’s estimated 2021 population is fully vaccinated and 65% has at least one dose.

A total of 8,948,487 doses were administered in Massachusetts and the state used 90.3% of its vaccine supply, according to DPH data.

Earlier Thursday, Gov. Charlie Baker’s office announced the the new winners of the VaxMillions. Donna McNulty of Billerica received the $ 1 million prize and Dylan Barron of Norwood won the $ 300,000 scholarship.

Hampshire and Franklin counties are the only parts of Massachusetts not labeled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having a high or substantial risk of the spread of COVID. The agency recommends that people living in high and substantial risk areas wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.

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