Massachusetts on Thursday set a daily record for COVID-19 cases, reporting 6,887, according to the state Department of Public Health.
The previous one-day record was December 3, although the report for that day included almost 700 outstanding cases. 7,424 cases were registered on December 26, but these included two days worth of cases because the Department of Public Health did not report any on Christmas Day.
359,445 cases have now been confirmed in Massachusetts, with 81 deaths on Thursday leading to 12,157, according to health officials. Another 266 deaths are considered likely to be related to COVID-19.
The percentage of coronavirus tests that return positive has, on average, increased to 8.6%, according to the report.
The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 increased to 2,271. Of this number, 417 were listed as in intensive care units and 240 are intubated, according to DPH.
Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that about 78,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine were administered nationally Tuesday and an estimated 20,000 people living and working in long-term care facilities should be vaccinated at one of 50 clinics. vaccination by the end of this week.
“Progress, obviously, in this regard, shows that although it is crowded and bumpy, what I said it would be is moving and speaks well of what is to come in 2021,” he said.
Baker also asked people to avoid New Year’s Eve parties.