An additional 5,657 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Massachusetts, bringing the total number of active cases worldwide to 98,317, according to health officials.
Saturday’s new cases follow 112,120 new molecular tests, bringing the seven-day average positive tests to 6.15%. Although the percentage is much higher than a low of 0.8% reached in September, the figure has been declining this week, according to the Department of Public Health.
However, the state’s seven-day average is 7.4% without including higher education institutions, where regular tests have caused COVID to spread low.
DPH also reported another 74 deaths related to the virus on Saturday. So far through the pandemic, at least 444,028 residents have tested positive and 13,305 have died.
As of Saturday, 2197 people with the virus are being admitted to hospital, including 433 in the intensive care unit and 294 intubating. The seven-day average hospitalizations are 2221, and that drops slightly after months of increases. The state had its lowest figure in August, when an average of 155 COVID patients were in the hospital.
The seven-day average of new positive cases stands at 3,570. From January 3 to 9, the state saw the highest number of COVID cases to date in Massachusetts, with more than 41,000 tested positive.
Across Massachusetts, 229 towns and cities are rated by DPH as a high risk for the virus to spread.
The state began vaccinations last month. Since then, 32,984 people have reached full vaccination with a second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer BioNTech vaccines. A total of 239,174 doses were administered in Massachusetts, according to DPH data.
On Monday, the state plans to begin vaccinations for homeless individuals, residents of group homes, drug treatment programs and emergency shelters and inmates.
In Massachusetts schools, 523 students and 407 staff members tested positive for COVID from January 7 to 13, excluding distance learning students.
DPH said on Friday that a flu vaccine requirement for almost all students will be eliminated for the 2020-2021 school year, as the flu season has been mild so far. The mandate was part of an effort to prevent hospitals from becoming overcrowded during the pandemic.
Cumulative COVID cases by country:
Barnstable: 7,204
Berkshire: 3,937
Bristol: 44 238
Dukes: 649
Essex: 70 581
Franklin: 1,580
Hampden: 32 627
Hampshire: 4 952
Average sex: 91,946
Nantucket: 981
Norfolk: 34,744
Plymouth: 31,347
Suffolk: 64 867
Worcester: 53 053
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