Framingham Adds 234 Coronavirus Cases; Highest Since January

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Coronavirus levels in Framingham have returned to levels not seen since vaccines were scarce.

The city reported 234 new cases over the week ending Dec. 8. That's the first week with more than 200 cases since March, and the highest weekly total dating back to around Jan. 20. Framingham also reported a new COVID-19 death on Wednesday — the second week in a row with a coronavirus fatality.

In Framingham, the positive rate was up to 3.17 percent over the week, lower than the statewide rate of about 5 percent. The average daily new cases over the past two weeks was at about 32 per day.

The rise in local cases tracks with an upward trend across Massachusetts. The state added more than 5,400 new cases on Wednesday, and the state reported more than 1,200 COVID-19 hospitalizations, with about 250 in intensive care. Every county is Massachusetts — and every county in New England, in fact — has a high risk of transmission for coronavirus right now, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On the positive side, more than 53,000 Framingham residents, or about 74 percent, are fully vaccinated against the virus, which may help prevent severe disease and hospitalizations. The Pfizer booster has been found to be effective against the new omicron variant, which was confirmed in Massachusetts over the weekend.

State and local health officials are advising everyone to get vaccinated and boosted, especially ahead of holiday celebrations. The Greater Framingham Community Church will hold a vaccine booster clinic this weekend. You can also find vaccines on the state website.