Massachusetts reported 626 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, a significant rise from the 446 new infections reported Monday. The death toll rose by 13. 

Wednesday’s report marks the first time cases have topped 500 this week, marking a drastic decline from last week’s topping 500 per day, excluding May 3. Yesterday, 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 Wednesday, the seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sat at 2.2, down from 2.6 percent this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 1.3 percent.

The state reported 428 hospitalizations Wednesday, down slightly from the 485 reported this time last week. On Monday, the state reported 426 hospitalizations—the lowest hospitalization figure since Oct. 30, when 434 people were hospitalized with the virus.

On Wednesday, Massachusetts reported 58,254 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 6,907,827. Over 43 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 latest dashboard update reported no new positive COVID-19 tests out of the 158 tests administered on Monday and Tuesday. 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.