Massachusetts reported 146 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a marked decline from the 203 new infections reported Saturday. The death toll rose by 4.
Sunday’s report marks the third time this week cases have fallen below 200, and the lowest number of cases since Sept. 22, when 143 were reported. Cases statewide have plummeted in recent weeks, regularly falling below 500 per day and reaching levels not seen since early last fall, when cases were at their absolute nadir.
The state reports two COVID-19 positivity rates—one with higher education testing and one without. On Sunday, the seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sat at 1.0 percent, down from 1.5 percent this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 0.7 percent. Both figures are at their lowest points since at least August.
The state reported 236 hospitalizations Sunday, down from the 257 reported this time last week.
On Sunday, Massachusetts reported 31,350 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 7,828,350. More than 52 percent of the state’s population is now fully inoculated against COVID-19—meaning they have received both doses of the vaccines manufactured by Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Emerson’s most recent dashboard update reported no new positive COVID-19 tests out of just 34 tests administered.
