State health officials confirmed another 3,987 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases across the state to 90,154. Wednesday’s case count is based on 82,567 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.
The number of new cases of COVID in the state has declined since it reached the peak of the pandemic in the week of January 3. Last week’s cases fell about 27% from the previous week.
Officials also announced another 78 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths from respiratory infection in Massachusetts to 13,547. Although deaths have risen steadily for 11 weeks, they stabilized two weeks ago and showed a slight decline last week.
The average age of those hospitalized with the virus dropped from 73 last week to 71 this week. The average age of people who tested positive was 39 and the average age of COVID deaths in Massachusetts went from 81 in late December to 79 now.
As of Wednesday, there are 2,209 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including 444 intensive care patients, 299 of whom are intubated. Hospitalizations have increased, but stabilized last week.
The seven-day average of positive tests is now 5.86%
The latest figures were released at a time when health officials confirm a second case of the highly infectious strain of COVID-19, with the first announced on Sunday.
Authorities confirmed the first case of B.1.1.7 on Sunday in a Boston woman in her 20s, but did not elaborate on the second case.
The woman infected with the new variant traveled to the UK, where the virus spread quickly, and fell ill the day after she returned. She had tested negative before leaving the UK.
On Tuesday, Governor Charlie Baker announced that the state will expand its distribution of the COVID vaccine to CVS Health and Walgreens pharmacies across the state. As part of this expansion, Baker also confirmed that Fenway Park will become the state’s second mass vaccination site, after announcing Gillette Stadium as the first one last week.
Fifteen CVS and Walgreens stores in Massachusetts will receive 10,000 doses of the vaccine this week, officials said. These stores are located in Greenfield, Fall River, Salem, South Yarmouth, Pittsfield, Lee, Holden, Gardner, Hyannis, Mashpee, Somerset, Fairhaven, Haverhill, Saugus and Danvers.
Total COVID cases per county:
Barnstable County: 7,590
Berkshire County: 4,123
Bristol County: 45,847
Dukes County: 683
Essex County: 72,391
Franklin County: 1,637
Hampden County: 33,910
Hampshire County: 5,139
Middlesex County: 94,631
Nantucket County: 1,005
Norfolk County: 36,130
Plymouth County: 32,626
Suffolk County: 66,466
Worcester County: 54,502
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