Massachusetts reported 7,424 new coronavirus cases and 46 deaths over a two-day period Saturday, as new infections in the state continue to hit record highs.

Massachusetts did not publish a COVID-19 data report Friday due to the Christmas holiday. 

New infections have topped 3,000 in the state each day since Dec. 7. At the virus’s first peak in late April, daily cases in Massachusetts averaged just over 2,000. This week, daily cases averaged over 4,000.  

The seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sits at 7.35 percent. The positivity rate that includes higher education testing sits at 6.32 percent. 

On Saturday, the state reported 2,077 total hospitalizations, compared to 1,927 this time last week. In past weeks, hospitalizations have grown by about 300 week over week. 

Emerson does not update its COVID-19 dashboard over the weekends as no new tests are administered at Tufts Medical Center. Testing of community members has ticked down significantly due to in-person classes ending Nov. 25 and only a limited number of students living on campus over the break continue to receive regular screening. 

Friday’s dashboard update revealed no new positives among just 82 tests. Last month, Emerson reported 28 new positives, compared to 32 between early August and late November.