Massachusetts reports 9,047 new COVID cases, jump in virus hospitalizations

State health officials on Thursday reported a weekly increase of more than 9,000 confirmed COVID cases, while virus hospitalizations jumped following a surge in the virus wastewater data.

The state’s daily average of 1,292 COVID cases from the last week is similar to the daily rate of 1,299 virus infections during the previous week.

Meanwhile, the state reported that 694 total patients are hospitalized with COVID, which is up 104 patients from this time last week — an 18% increase in one week.

This jump follows the recent spike in the Boston-area COVID wastewater data. The COVID wastewater tracker throughout the pandemic has been the first indication of cases at the community level, and the data has helped predict surges.

“Viral wastewater is UP >100%,” Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission, tweeted on Thursday. “Cases and hospitalizations are increasing. @HealthyBoston recommends masking in indoor spaces to reduce risk. Masking is especially critical if you are older, immunocompromised or unvaccinated. Now is the time to get boosted. #PandemicIsNotOver.”

The state’s positive test average has been climbing in recent weeks. The seven-day positive test rate is now 7.71%, up from 7.48% last week.

The very infectious omicron BA.5 variant is now responsible for 82.2% of new cases in New England, a drop from last week, according to this week’s update from the CDC. The omicron BA.4.6 variant appears to be on the rise, accounting for 11.5% of new cases.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is now reporting its COVID data on a weekly basis, reflecting the evolving COVID response in the state. Previously, the data had been reported five days a week.

The state reported 41 new COVID deaths over the past week, bringing the state’s total to 21,706 recorded deaths since the start of the pandemic. The daily average of deaths is now seven, which is much lower than the daily death rate during the initial omicron surge.

Almost 5.5 million people in the state have been fully vaccinated, and more than 3.2 million people have gotten at least one booster dose. Also, the state reported that 835,665 additional booster doses have been administered.

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