Massachusetts reports 2,991 new coronavirus cases

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State House News Service

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

By Charlie McKenna

Massachusetts reported 2,991 new coronavirus cases and 19 deaths Saturday, as new infections in the state continue to increase dramatically.

Saturday’s case total is a steep rise from 2,288 reported Friday. Single-day cases topped 2,000 every day this week but Monday. At the virus’ peak in late April, daily cases in Massachusetts averaged just over 2,000.

The state recently changed the way it reports COVID-19 positivity rates, separating higher education testing into its own category. The state’s overall seven-day test positivity rate sits at 3.21 percent, while the positivity rate that excludes higher education testing sits at 5.13 percent.  

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are currently surging. On Sunday, the state reported 891 total hospitalizations, compared to 519 this time last month.

Emerson does not update its COVID-19 dashboard on the weekends as no new tests are administered at Tufts Medical Center. Friday’s dashboard update reported no new data.