Massachusetts reports 55 new coronavirus cases

Gov. Charlie Baker.

State House News Service

Gov. Charlie Baker.

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor

Massachusetts reported 55 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, up from the 44 cases reported Monday. The death toll rose by 2.

Tuesday’s report marks the first day cases have topped 50 this week, though it is the ninth time they have been under 200 over the last 9 days. Cases statewide have plummeted in recent weeks, regularly falling below 500 per day and reaching levels not seen since last summer. 

The state reports two COVID-19 positivity rates—one with higher education testing and one without. On Tuesday, the seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sat at 0.6 percent—the lowest mark the state has reported since it began tracking the metric. This time last week, it sat at 0.7 percent. The rate that includes higher education sits at 0.4 percent. 

The state reported 124 hospitalizations Tuesday, down from the 173 reported this time last week. 

On Tuesday, Massachusetts reported 47,980 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 8,329,413. More than 58 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 positive COVID-19 tests Tuesday, out of the 49 administered on Monday. Zero community members were reported to be in on-campus isolation and quarantine.

Since summer testing began on May 3, Emerson has reported one positive test out of the 1,971 tests administered.