Massachusetts Covid “breakthrough cases" surge 11,321 last week, smashing record high for the state

From [HERE] More than 11,000 fully vaccinated people in the Bay State tested positive for coronavirus last week as part of the post-Thanksgiving surge, a daily average of about 1,617 people as breakthrough infections hit a record high in the state.

The count of 11,321 breakthrough cases last week was a 71% spike from the tally of 6,610 breakthrough infections in the prior week.

Breakthrough cases in Massachusetts have been making up about 40% of the state’s overall cases in recent months amid the more highly contagious delta variant.

Overall case counts in the state have been spiking in the last few weeks, and breakthrough infections are following that surging trend as the vaccine’s effectiveness wanes after six months. Officials are urging people to get a booster shot as soon as possible.

Overall, 88,968 fully vaxxed people have tested positive for the virus, according to new data from the state Department of Public Health on Tuesday. That’s 1.8% of the more than 4.9 million fully vaxxed people in Massachusetts.

The 88,968 overall cases is a jump of 11,321 breakthrough infections from last week — or a daily average of 1,617 fully vaccinated people testing positive.

Last Tuesday’s report had showed an increase of 6,610 breakthrough cases, a daily rate of 944 fully vaxxed people testing positive.

The week before that was a rise of 6,917 infections — a daily average of 988.

The previous week’s count was 5,313 cases, a daily rate of 759.

Breakthrough hospitalizations have been accounting for about 35% of current COVID-19 hospitalizations. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case and hospitalization.

There have been 2,716 hospitalizations among fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts, which represents 0.05% of those who are fully vaxxed.

The 2,716 total patients is a one-week increase of 273 fully vaxxed patients. That’s way up from the previous weekly increase of 158 fully vaxxed patients. The week before that was 205 fully vaxxed patients.

The state has reported 647 breakthrough deaths, or 0.01% of those who are fully vaxxed. That’s a one-week increase of 61 deaths — up from the previous weekly increase of 34 deaths. The week before that was 43 deaths.