New Year’s Eve in Boston was far from the wild and chaotic scenes of previous years as the state set a record for daily cases of coronavirus. Many heeded warnings from state officials to celebrate with caution as the state grapples with the surge in cases and an ongoing response.
Here’s a look at where the state stands in its COVID-19 battle heading into 2021.
Record cases, increase in deaths
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 6,887 COVID-19 cases Thursday, setting a single-day record in the state.
The previous single-day record was December 3, although that day’s report included nearly 700 backlogged cases. 7,424 cases were reported on December 26, but that included two days of cases, as the Department of Public Health did not report any on Christmas Day.
Now 359,445 cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts, and Thursday’s 81 deaths bring the number to 12,157, according to health officials. Another 266 deaths are considered likely related to COVID-19.
The percentage of positive coronavirus tests, on average, has risen to 8.6%, according to the report.
More high-risk communities
More than half of communities across the state are considered to be at higher risk of transmitting coronavirus.
Currently, 190 cities and towns in Massachusetts, including Boston, are in the red zone.
Continuous launch of vaccines
Governor Charlie Baker said Wednesday that about 78,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been administered statewide as of Tuesday, and that an estimated 20,000 people who live and work in long-term care facilities should be vaccinated. at one of the 50 vaccination clinics by the end of this week. .
“The progress obviously in this regard shows that while it is uneven and uneven, as we said it would be, it is moving forward and speaks well of what is to come with respect to 2021,” he said.
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