Massachusetts reports 786 new coronavirus cases

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State House News Service

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor

Massachusetts reported 786 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a sharp decline from the 1,115 new infections reported Saturday. The death toll rose by 4.

Sunday’s total marks the first time since Oct.18 that cases have dropped below 800. Cases topped 900 four times this week following two days of reporting totals just above 800. 

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 Sunday, the seven-day test positivity rate with higher education testing removed sat at 2.6 percent, down from the 3.1 percent reported this time last week. The rate that includes higher education sits at 1.5 percent.

The state reported 525 hospitalizations Sunday, down from the 641 reported this time last week. Hospitalizations are steadily declining after they rose briefly in March. 

On Sunday, Massachusetts reported 37,597 new vaccinations, bringing the state’s total to 6,223,093. 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. 

Emerson’s most recent dashboard update revealed no new positives out of 659 tests administered.