Death In Framingham Due To COVID-19 Is First Since June

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham recorded its 251st death in the coronavirus pandemic this week, the first fatality due to COVID-19 since June 9, according to city data.

The death comes alongside another steep rise in coronavirus cases as a third wave marked by the delta variant continues in Massachusetts. Framingham had 145 active coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, up from just over 100 a week ago.

As has been the case in recent weeks, younger people in Framingham are more often testing positive for the the virus. The median age of confirmed cases was 32 this week, about the same as last week. And, 88 of the 144 cases recorded over the last two weeks have been in people under age 39.

The number of fully vaccinated people in Framingham has been hovering around 49,000 in August. The number was up to 49,710 on Wednesday — or 69 percent of the total city population— compared to 49,120 at the beginning of the month.

Cases are also up statewide. The state Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported just over 1,400 new cases and 11 new deaths. The statewide average positive test rate was sitting at 2.78 percent, near Framingham's 2.44 percent.