State health officials on Wednesday confirmed another 3,987 COVID-19 cases, bringing the number of active cases nationwide to 90,154. According to the Department of Public Health, Wednesday’s case is based on 82,567 new molecular tests.
The number of new COVID cases in the state has declined since reaching a pandemic peak in the week of January 3rd. Business fell by about 27% last week from the previous week.
Officials also announced another 78 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths due to the respiratory infection in Massachusetts to 13,547. Although the death toll has risen steadily for 11 weeks, it leveled off two weeks ago and showed a slight decrease last week.
The average age of those hospitalized with the virus dropped from 73 last week to 71 this week. The mean age of people who tested positive was 39 and the mean age of COVID deaths in Mass. Is from 81 end of December to 79 now.
As of Wednesday, there are 2,209 patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, including 444 patients in intensive care, of whom 299 are intubating. Hospitalizations have increased but have leveled off over the past week.
The average of seven days of positive tests is now 5.86%
The latest numbers come as health officials confirmed a second case of the highly contagious strain of COVID-19, with the first being announced Sunday.
Officials confirmed the first case of B.1.1.7 Sunday in a Boston woman in her 20s, but did not elaborate on the second case.
The woman infected with the new variant traveled to the UK, where the virus spread rapidly, and became ill the day after she returned. She tested negative before leaving the UK.
On Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the state will extend its COVID vaccination to CVS Health and Walgreens pharmacies nationwide. As part of the expansion, Baker also confirmed that Fenway Park will become the state’s second mass vaccination site, after Gillette Stadium was announced as the first last week.
Fifteen CVS and Walgreens stores across Massachusetts are receiving 10,000 doses of vaccine this week, officials said. These stores are located in Greenfield, Fall River, Salem, South Yarmouth, Pittsfield, Lee, Holden, Gardner, Hyannis, Mashpee, Somerset, Fairhaven, Haverhill, Saugus and Danvers.
Total COVID cases per country:
Barnstable County: 7,590
Berkshire County: 4,123
Bristol County: 45 847
Dukes County: 683
Essex County: 72 391
Franklin County: 1,637
Hampden County: 33,910
Hampshire County: 5,139
Middlesex County: 94,631
Nantucket County: 1,005
Norfolk County: 36,130
Plymouth County: 32,626
Suffolk County: 66,466
Worcester County: 54,502
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