Massachusetts reported 481 new coronavirus cases Monday, a sharp decline from the 786 new infections reported Sunday. The death toll rose by 18, an increase from the four deaths reported Sunday.

Monday’s total marks the first time since Oct. 5 that cases have dropped below 500 statewide. Last week the lowest cases reached was 786, after topping 1,000 for four days straight. The last time cases were that low was also in mid-October, when the state was on the precipice of a wintertime surge. 

The state reports two COVID-19 positivity rates—one with higher education testing and one without. On Monday, the seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sat at 2.6 percent, down from the 3.5 percent reported this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 1.5 percent.

The state reported 522 hospitalizations Monday, down from the 705 reported this time last week. Hospitalizations are steadily declining after they rose briefly in March. 

On Monday, Massachusetts reported 33,643 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 6,256,736. Over 37 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. 

Monday’s dashboard update reported no positive COVID-19 tests out of the 338 tests administered on Friday. Zero community members were reported to be in on-campus quarantine and isolation respectively. 

The spring semester testing cycle concluded with 169 positive COVID-19 tests reported in total and a positivity rate of 0.21 percent.