Massachusetts reported 241 new coronavirus cases Thursday, a sharp rise from the 100 cases reported Wednesday. The death toll rose by 7.
Thursday’s report marks the first time this week cases have topped 200, a day after cases reached their lowest since last June. 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 Thursday, the seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sat at 0.9 percent, down from 1.2 percent this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 0.6 percent.
The state reported 203 hospitalizations Thursday, down from the 253 reported this time last week.
On Thursday, Massachusetts reported 34,846 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 7,926,423. More than 53 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 reported no new positive COVID-19 tests on Thursday out of the 62 tests administered on Wednesday.
Zero community members were reported to be in on-campus isolation and quarantine.
