Health & Fitness

Coronavirus Positivity Rate Rises In MA, But Confirmed Cases Fall: DPH

State officials reported over 7,800 new COVID-19 cases this week, plus 60 new deaths.

Massachusetts added about 7,800 new coronavirus cases over the week ending Thursday.
Massachusetts added about 7,800 new coronavirus cases over the week ending Thursday. (Neal McNamara/Patch)

BOSTON, MA — By some measures, coronavirus cases appear to be heading upward in Massachusetts, according to new data reported Thursday by the state Department of Public Health.

The statewide average of COVID-19 positive tests hit the highest level since late May on Wednesday at 8.6 percent. At the same, the seven-day average of new cases dropped compared to the previous week.

On a geographic level, Middlesex County had the highest number of new cases in the state over the past week at nearly 1,700.

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Here's a look at where COVID-19 cases stood as of Thursday:

  • Confirmed new cases: 7,865
  • 7-day positivity rate: 8.60%
  • Total hospitalizations: 856
  • Intensive care hospitalizations: 70
  • Confirmed new deaths: 60

The Northern Hemisphere is also entering flu season, and health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated soon. There are also new versions of the COVID-19 booster shot tuned to fight the omicron variants of the disease. Find a local vaccination appointment here.

Find out what's happening in Bostonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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