Massachusetts reported 1,276 new coronavirus cases Monday, a significant decrease from the 3,004 new infections reported Sunday. The death toll rose by 55.
Monday’s report of 1,276 is the lowest number the state has seen since Jan. 2. On Jan. 2, cases reached 1,968, the lowest reported number since Nov. 30. Since then, cases have not dipped below 2,000.
Infections have declined steadily in the state in the past month, after Christmas holiday travel and gatherings likely drove up case numbers, resulting in record highs approximately two weeks after the holiday.
On Jan. 4 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced two new cases of the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 had been found in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has now reported seven cases of the variant first found in the United Kingdom, which is believed to be up to 50 percent more transmissible than the strains of the virus currently spreading.
The only other New England state to report cases of the B.1.1.7 variant is Connecticut, which has reported a total of 17 confirmed cases.
The state reports two COVID-19 positivity rates—one with higher education testing and one without. The seven-day test positivity rate with higher education removed sits at 4.6 percent Monday, down from the 5.3 percent reported this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 3.0 percent.
The state reported 1,387 total hospitalizations Monday, down from the 1,676 reported this time last week. Hospitalizations in the state have declined in recent weeks, falling by 564 since Jan. 25, after rising by nearly 300 week over week during much of November and early December.
Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 tests Monday out of the 1,265 tests administered on Friday. The college’s cumulative positive tests since testing began on Aug. 6 sits at 55. Emerson’s cumulative testing total sits at 65,390.
The one new positive reported Friday brings the spring semester total to 55, after just four full weeks of testing. In the fall, the college reported 60 positives across the four months testing was administered.
