Massachusetts reported 337 new coronavirus cases Friday, down by nearly half from the 616 new infections reported Thursday. The death toll rose by 18. 

The Department of Public Health cited a “reporting lag from a large laboratory” for the low number of tests—Friday’s total marks the first time cases have dipped below 400 since Oct. 18. The results from this lab will be included in tomorrow’s dashboard. 

The state reports two COVID-19 positivity rates—one with higher education testing and one without. On Friday, the seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sat at 1.9, down from 2.4 percent this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 1.1 percent.

The state reported 376 hospitalizations Friday, down slightly from the 459 reported this time last week. Friday’s report marks the lowest hospitalization figure since Oct. 24, when 362 people were hospitalized with the virus.

On Friday, Massachusetts reported 67,558 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 7,027,149. Over 45 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 reported no new positive COVID-19 tests on Friday out of the 97 tests administered on Thursday. Zero community members were reported to be in con-campus isolation and quarantine, respectively.  

The spring semester testing cycle concluded with 169 positive COVID-19 tests reported and a positivity rate of 0.21 percent, compared to the 60 cases and 0.12 percent positivity rate reported in the fall. Over the fall and spring semesters, 229 positive tests were reported, adding up to a 0.17 percent positivity rate.