State Health officials confirmed another 6,887 COVID-19 cases on New Year’s Eve, bringing the number of active consequences across the country to 80,359.
The data from the seven-day positive tests increased slightly to 8.60%. There are currently 2,271 people admitted with the virus or with COVID-like symptoms, including 417 patients in intensive care. There are currently 240 patients in ventilators.
Officials also announced another 81 COVID-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic to 12,157.
There have now been 359,445 confirmed cases of airway infection in Massachusetts since the pandemic began.
Government Charlie Baker said Wednesday that the first phase of vaccine distribution across the state is underway, as officials must deliver the shots to the first responders next week.
“We also placed our first order for the second dose of vaccine,” Baker said. “It will be distributed to hospitals that sent the very first vaccine in mid-December.”
Officials have expressed deep concern about a possible second post-holiday increase in COVID cases at the start of the new year. Hospitals across the state are approaching capacity constraints, and some are receiving patients from neighboring hospitals that were already full.
“It’s of the utmost importance that everyone be careful and cautious, and especially careful and cautious with people who are not part of your immediate household, because that’s a big part of our challenge,” Baker said.
The latest numbers come days after Baker’s new restrictions on businesses and limits on events went into effect. Officials say the temporary restrictions will apply for at least two weeks.
Total COVID cases per country:
Barnstable County: 5,396
Berkshire County: 2,907
County of Bristol: 34 655
Dukes County: 483
Essex County: 58,429
Franklin County: 1,278
Hampden County: 26,282
Hampshire County: 3,832
Middlesex County: 75,615
Nantucket County: 748
Norfolk County: 27,296
Plymouth County: 24,296
Suffolk County: 54,556
Worcester County: 42,595
Unknown location: 1,077
Related content:
- As hospital capacity is already tight, doctors in the Masses are worried about the COVID increase in the second holiday
- ‘We have the police beating’: Boston Mayor warns against New Year’s Eve parties amid pandemic