Massachusetts reported 616 new coronavirus cases Thursday, down from the 626 new infections reported Wednesday. The death toll rose by 9. 

Cases are continuing to plummet in the state — Thursday’s report marks only the second time single-day cases have topped 500 this week. Last week, cases topped that marker each day. 

On Tuesday, Massachusetts reported zero COVID-29 deaths for the first time since June 30, 2020.

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 2.0, down from 2.4 percent this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 1.2 percent.

The state reported 385 hospitalizations Thursday, down slightly from the 469 reported this time last week. Thursday’s report marks the lowest hospitalization figure since Oct. 25, when 377 people were hospitalized with the virus.

On Thursday, Massachusetts reported 51,764 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 6,959,591. Over 44 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 Thursday out of the 68 tests administered on Wednesday. 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.