Massachusetts reports 1,853 new COVID cases, hospitalizations jump

State well being officers on Wednesday reported greater than 1,800 new COVID-19 instances, whereas virus hospitalizations jumped throughout the area.

The state Division of Public Well being’s report of 1,853 instances was a bit down from final Wednesday’s complete of 1,969 infections. Nonetheless, the variety of reported exams was a 27% drop from final week.

The omicron BA.2 “stealth” variant is at present the dominant pressure within the U.S., in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. The subvariant has sparked an increase in virus instances, as extra individuals collect indoors with out masks. The Boston-area COVID wastewater information goes up.

In the meantime, the Massachusetts common p.c positivity has climbed to 4.34%, considerably up from 1.6% a number of weeks in the past. The constructive take a look at common for Wednesday’s rely was 3.88%.

State well being officers reported 24 COVID deaths, bringing the state’s complete recorded loss of life toll to twenty,208. There may be sometimes a lag in loss of life reviews following a protracted vacation weekend.

The every day common of COVID deaths is now 4. The loss of life charge had been a lot greater after omicron hospitalizations surged.

After COVID hospitalizations jumped by 45 sufferers, the state’s total affected person rely is now 373 sufferers. Hospitalizations had been spiking at a speedy tempo amid the omicron surge, however then plunged. Now, hospitalizations seem like rising once more.

Of the hospitalized COVID sufferers statewide, 29% of sufferers have been reported as being hospitalized attributable to COVID — and 71% of hospitalized sufferers have been reported as testing constructive for COVID whereas hospitalized for different causes.

Throughout the state, there are actually 29 coronavirus sufferers in intensive care models, and 10 sufferers are intubated.

Over the last two weeks, the 20-29 age group within the state had probably the most reported instances. That age group’s 5,901 instances topped the 30-39 age group’s 3,834 instances.

Greater than 5.3 million individuals in Massachusetts are actually totally vaccinated, and virtually 3 million individuals have gotten a booster dose. Additionally, 201,443 further booster doses have been administered.