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Health

Massachusetts reports 9,091 new COVID cases, a 15% increase from last week

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State health officials on Thursday reported more than 9,000 confirmed COVID cases from the last week, a 15% jump week over week as the positive test rate rose again.

The state’s daily average of 1,299 COVID cases from the last week is an increase from the daily rate of 1,134 infections during the previous week.

The infection counts going up follows the recent rise in the Boston-area COVID wastewater data. The COVID wastewater tracker throughout the pandemic has been the first indication of cases at the community level, and the data has helped predict surges.

The positive test average had been climbing as the omicron BA.5 subvariant took over, but the rate went down in recent weeks. Now, it appears to be going back up. The seven-day positive test rate is now 7.48%, up from 7.32% last week.

The very infectious BA.5 variant is now responsible for 84.4% of new cases in New England, a drop from last week, according to this week’s update from the CDC. The omicron BA.4.6 variant appears to be on the rise, accounting for 9.7% of new cases.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is now reporting its COVID data on a weekly basis, reflecting the evolving COVID response in the state. Previously, the data had been reported five days a week.

The state reported 45 new COVID deaths over the past week, bringing the state’s total to 21,646 recorded deaths since the start of the pandemic. The daily average of deaths is now six, which is much lower than the daily death rate during the initial omicron surge.

The state reported that 590 total patients are hospitalized with COVID, which is down one patient from this time last week.

More than 5.4 million people in the state have been fully vaccinated, and more than 3.2 million people have gotten at least one booster dose. Also, the state reported that 783,339 additional booster doses have been administered.

Massachusetts reports 20% jump in COVID cases after Boston-area virus wastewater data went up

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State health officials on Thursday reported 7,936 confirmed COVID cases from the last week, a 20% jump following the recent rise in the Boston-area COVID wastewater data.

The COVID wastewater tracker throughout the pandemic has been the first indication of cases at the community level, and the data has helped predict surges.

The state’s daily average of 1,134 COVID cases from the last week is up from the daily rate of 946 infections during the previous week. Infection counts had been trending down in previous weeks.

The positive test average had been climbing as the omicron BA.5 subvariant took over, but the positive test rate went down in recent weeks. The seven-day positive test rate is now 7.32%, up from 7.13% last week.

The very infectious BA.5 variant is now responsible for 88.6% of new cases in New England, according to this week’s update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The omicron BA.4.6 variant appears to be on the rise, accounting for 8.6% of new cases.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is now reporting its COVID data on a weekly basis, reflecting the evolving COVID response in the state. Previously, the data had been reported five days a week.

The state reported 37 new COVID deaths over the past week, bringing the state’s total to 21,588 recorded deaths since the start of the pandemic. The daily average of deaths is now five, which is much lower than the daily death rate during the initial omicron surge.

The state reported that 591 total patients are hospitalized with COVID, which is up 18 patients from this time last week.

More than 5.4 million people in the state have been fully vaccinated, and more than 3.2 million people have gotten at least one booster dose. Also, the state reported that 739,426 additional booster doses have been administered.

Massachusetts reports 17 new monkeypox cases, more than 15,000 people vaccinated

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State health officials reported 17 new monkeypox cases on Thursday, yet another decrease from last week as more than 15,000 people in Massachusetts have been vaccinated against the virus.

The count of 17 new monkeypox cases in the Bay State was down from 30 infections during the previous week, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

It brings the total number of monkeypox cases in the state to 364 since the state’s first case was announced in mid-May. That first case was also the country’s first confirmed infection.

More than 99% of the reported 364 monkeypox cases have been male. Also, the age group with the most cases has been 30-39 with 129 infections, followed by 20-29 with 110 cases and 40-49 with 81 cases.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is now being administered intradermally into the skin at a lower dose that still provides the same immune response.

Since the start of June, 21,886 JYNNEOS vaccine doses have been administered to 15,601 people in Massachusetts. Of the people who’ve been vaccinated, 93% have been male.

Fourteen health care providers are offering vaccinations across the state, and the Bay State has activated mobile providers to assist in vaccine administration.

“Due to extremely limited national availability of vaccine, the JYNNEOS vaccine in Massachusetts still remains limited at this time,” DPH said in a statement last week. “Vaccination is available to individuals who meet the CDC’s eligibility criteria and who live or work in Massachusetts. Vaccine is prioritized for individuals at greatest risk of exposure to someone with monkeypox.”

Monkeypox spreads primarily through close contact with infectious sores, scabs or body fluids. It can also be spread through touching objects that have been used by someone with monkeypox and respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox can spread during intimate contact like sex, kissing or touching parts of the body with sores, but the risk of monkeypox is not limited to people who are sexually active.

Massachusetts reports 37 new monkeypox cases, more than 18,000 vaccine doses administered

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State health officials reported 37 new monkeypox cases on Thursday, as more than 18,000 Bay State residents have been vaccinated against the virus.

The count of 37 new monkeypox cases in the Bay State was a plateau from 37 infections during the previous week. The 37 new cases were diagnosed within the past week, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

It brings the total number of monkeypox cases in the state to 317 since the state’s first case was announced in mid-May. That first case was also the country’s first confirmed infection. Massachusetts has reported the 15th-most cases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There have been 18,989 reported cases of monkeypox virus in U.S. residents this year. That’s a jump of 2,386 cases since last week, which was a decrease from the previous week.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is now being administered intradermally into the skin at a lower dose that still provides the same immune response. As of Wednesday, 18,085 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine have been administered in Massachusetts.

Fourteen health care providers are offering vaccinations across the state, and the Bay State has activated mobile providers to assist in vaccine administration.

“Due to extremely limited national availability of vaccine, the JYNNEOS vaccine in Massachusetts still remains limited at this time,” DPH said in a statement. “Vaccination is available to individuals who meet the CDC’s eligibility criteria and who live or work in Massachusetts. Vaccine is prioritized for individuals at greatest risk of exposure to someone with monkeypox.”

Monkeypox spreads primarily through close contact with infectious sores, scabs or body fluids. It can also be spread through touching objects that have been used by someone with monkeypox and respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox can spread during intimate contact like sex, kissing or touching parts of the body with sores, but the risk of monkeypox is not limited to people who are sexually active.

Massachusetts reports 7,952 new COVID cases, doctors urge vaccines for students returning to school

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State health officials on Thursday reported 7,952 confirmed COVID cases from the last week, as local doctors urge parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date on all vaccinations and boosters ahead of the school year.

The state’s daily average of 1,136 COVID cases from the last week is a drop from the daily rate of 1,175 infections during the previous week. Infection counts have been trending down in recent weeks.

The positive test average had been climbing as the omicron BA.5 subvariant takes over. The seven-day positive test rate is now 7.84%, a plateau from a week ago.

The very infectious BA.5 variant is now responsible for 90.8% of new cases in New England, according to this week’s update from the CDC.

Ahead of the start of school, the physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians on Thursday encouraged vaccinations for students.

“Vaccines are safe and remain our most effective public health tool to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 and interruption of day-to-day learning that will result from a significant increase of positive cases,” the doctors said. “COVID-19 is still here, it is still a threat to public health, and there exists the likelihood of a surge in the fall and winter.”

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is now reporting its COVID data on a weekly basis, reflecting the evolving COVID response in the state.

The state reported 38 new COVID deaths over the past week, bringing the state’s total to 21,390 recorded deaths since the start of the pandemic. The daily average of deaths is now seven, which is much lower than the daily death rate during the initial omicron surge.

The state reported that 587 total patients are hospitalized with COVID, which is up five patients from this time last week.

More than 5.4 million people in the state have been fully vaccinated, and almost 3.2 million people have gotten at least one booster dose. Also, the state reported that 692,877 additional booster doses have been administered.

Massachusetts reports 37 new monkeypox cases, Boston health officials encourage eligible residents to get vaccinated

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State health officials reported 37 new monkeypox cases on Thursday, as Boston public health officials urge eligible residents to get vaccinated to slow the virus’ spread.

The count of 37 new monkeypox cases in the Bay State is down from 41 cases during the previous week. The 37 new cases were diagnosed within the past week, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

It brings the total number of monkeypox cases in the state to 280 since the state’s first case was announced in mid-May. That first case was also the country’s first confirmed case. Massachusetts has reported the 14th most cases in the country, according to the CDC.

The Boston Public Health Commission is reminding eligible residents to get vaxxed after the state last week announced new protocols for administering the JYNNEOS vaccine that will expand the state’s supply, enabling more residents to get vaccinated.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is now being administered intradermally into the skin, as opposed to in the muscle, at a lower dose that still provides the same immune response.

“I’m optimistic that the new approach to monkeypox vaccination will allow us to vaccinate more people, help ensure vaccines are distributed equitably, and ultimately support our efforts to control this outbreak,” said Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “Getting vaccinated against monkeypox is an effective way to prevent disease. I strongly encourage all residents who are eligible for vaccination to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.”

There have been 16,603 reported cases of monkeypox virus in U.S. residents this year. That’s a jump of 3,086 cases since last week.

Monkeypox spreads primarily through close contact with infectious sores, scabs or body fluids. It can also be spread through touching objects that have been used by someone with monkeypox and respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox can spread during intimate contact like sex, kissing or touching parts of the body with sores, but the risk of monkeypox is not limited to people who are sexually active.