Boston reports ‘significant increase’ in COVID cases, hospitalizations; Massachusetts reports nearly 5,000 COVID cases

Boston well being officers on Thursday reported a “vital improve” in COVID-19 circumstances and hospitalizations amid the omicron subvariant wave, as practically 5,000 new virus circumstances have been recorded throughout the state.

The 4,957 every day virus circumstances in Massachusetts was down from 5,576 reported circumstances final Thursday, however testing dropped 19.5% from final week.

The omicron BA.2 variant has been spreading throughout the area, together with the subvariant BA.2.12.1 gaining steam in New England.

The state’s every day common constructive check fee has been climbing in current weeks. The typical constructive check fee is now 9.35%, method up from 1.6% two months in the past.

Boston is averaging 61 new COVID circumstances per 100,000 residents per day, and group positivity is now at 11.5%. The town’s group positivity fee was lower than 7% a number of weeks in the past.

“We now have famous a big improve in each COVID-19 circumstances and in hospitalizations,” stated Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of Public Well being and government director of the Boston Public Well being Fee. “COVID-19 testing stays a important instrument to lower the chance of transmission to others, significantly those that are older, immunocompromised, and unvaccinated. They continue to be at excessive danger for extreme sickness.

“We have to lower onward transmission to others,” she added. “Please check previous to gatherings, put on a well-fitted masks in indoor settings, together with public transportation and get boosted if in case you have not been already.”

State well being officers reported 14 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s whole recorded demise toll to twenty,468. The every day common of deaths was a lot increased following the omicron hospitalization surge. The every day demise fee is now eight.

COVID-19 hospitalizations had fallen dramatically after the omicron variant peaked. Now hospitalizations are rising once more. There are actually 866 COVID sufferers throughout the Bay State after hospitalizations elevated by 41 sufferers.

There are 74 sufferers in intensive care models, and 26 sufferers are presently intubated throughout Massachusetts.