Edmund Schweppe (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
edschweppe) wrote2021-05-07 06:04 pm
edschweppe) wrote2021-05-07 06:04 pm
Entry tags:
Local COVID-19 updates
Another day, another "technical issue" for Massachusetts' interactive dashboard. Today's notice reads:
As of 5PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 5 newly reported confirmed deaths (same as yesterday) for a total of 17,316 deaths, 881 newly reported confirmed cases (123 less than yesterday - down 12.3%) for a total of 651,740 cases, and 78,071 newly reported molecular tests (27,031 less than yesterday - down 25.7%). The seven day average positivity rate is 1.39%, compared to 1.37% yesterday. Excluding higher education, the seven day average positivity rate is 2.36%, compared to 2.40% yesterday. The number of estimated active cases was 19,784 (714 less than yesterday - down 3.5%). The state also reported zero newly reported probable deaths (same as yesterday) for a total of 352 and 95 newly reported probable cases (62 less than yesterday - down 39.5%) for a total of 44,005. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 5 new deaths for a total of 17,668 and 976 new cases for a total of 695,745. There were 459 COVID-19 patients in hospital (10 less than yesterday - down 2.1%), 138 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (1 more than yesterday - up 0.7%) and 82 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (5 less than yesterday - down 5.7%).
Of the four overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics"), the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 639.0 (14 less than yesterday - down 2.1%), 307% above the lowest observed value of 157.0 on 7/4/2020 and 90.0% below the highest observed value of 6,239.0 on 1/8/2021. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 1.39% (0 more than yesterday - up 1.1%), 80% above the lowest observed value of 0.8% on 9/21/2020 and 95% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 510.0 (16 less than yesterday - down 3.0%), 229% above the lowest observed value of 155.0 on 8/26/2020 and 87% below the highest observed value of 3,874.0 on 4/27/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 7.0 (1 less than yesterday - down 12.5%), 40% above the lowest observed value of 5.0 on 5/6/2021 and 96% below the highest observed value of 175.0 on 4/24/2020.
Statewide, hospitals reported 9,253 non-ICU beds, of which 7,658 (82.8%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 321 (3.5%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 1,274 (13.8%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,384 ICU beds, of which 905 (65.4%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 138 (10.0%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 341 (24.6%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported yesterday a total of 9,274 non-ICU beds, of which 7,789 (84.0%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 332 (4%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 1,153 (12.4%) remained available. Hospitals also reported yesterday a total of 1,380 ICU beds, of which 898 (65.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 137 (9.9%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 345 (25.0%) remained available.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,012.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 9.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 685.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 2.03% (or 3.62% excluding higher education).
The daily raw data file used to create this report is available here.
Day-to-day deaths held constant; cases dropped, but tests dropped proportionately more, which may explain the uptick in the seven-day positivity average. The estimated active case count dropped again, and is down below twenty thousand for the first time since November 6, 2020, back when the fall surge was getting underway. Overall hospitalizations are down again, as are the seven-day averages for cases, deaths and hospitalizations. All the seven-day averages are below where they were two weeks ago. Overall, pretty good news going into the weekend, with the obvious caveat that we've still got way too many cases for comfort.
On the vaccination front, the state has now gotten nearly four million residents at least partially vaccinated:
I've been more than a bit skeptical of the state's push to reopen over the last few weeks, but it does appear as though they made a good call and the vaccination program is having an impact on the caseload.
The town of Acton's current Google Data Studio dashboard is showing 14 active and 970 cumulative cases as of May 7. The most recent "newsflash style update" at 6PM on April 27, 2021 reported 951 cumulative cases with 13 individuals in isolation, 906 persons recovered and 32 fatalities.
Please note: Due to a technical issue, the raw data file for the 5/6 daily dashboard was missing some data in the county_weekly tab. The data have been added to the raw file and the dashboard has been updated to include these data.The code I use to read the raw data file doesn't (currently) use that tab, so I didn't notice yesterday.
As of 5PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 5 newly reported confirmed deaths (same as yesterday) for a total of 17,316 deaths, 881 newly reported confirmed cases (123 less than yesterday - down 12.3%) for a total of 651,740 cases, and 78,071 newly reported molecular tests (27,031 less than yesterday - down 25.7%). The seven day average positivity rate is 1.39%, compared to 1.37% yesterday. Excluding higher education, the seven day average positivity rate is 2.36%, compared to 2.40% yesterday. The number of estimated active cases was 19,784 (714 less than yesterday - down 3.5%). The state also reported zero newly reported probable deaths (same as yesterday) for a total of 352 and 95 newly reported probable cases (62 less than yesterday - down 39.5%) for a total of 44,005. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 5 new deaths for a total of 17,668 and 976 new cases for a total of 695,745. There were 459 COVID-19 patients in hospital (10 less than yesterday - down 2.1%), 138 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (1 more than yesterday - up 0.7%) and 82 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (5 less than yesterday - down 5.7%).
Of the four overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics"), the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 639.0 (14 less than yesterday - down 2.1%), 307% above the lowest observed value of 157.0 on 7/4/2020 and 90.0% below the highest observed value of 6,239.0 on 1/8/2021. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 1.39% (0 more than yesterday - up 1.1%), 80% above the lowest observed value of 0.8% on 9/21/2020 and 95% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 510.0 (16 less than yesterday - down 3.0%), 229% above the lowest observed value of 155.0 on 8/26/2020 and 87% below the highest observed value of 3,874.0 on 4/27/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 7.0 (1 less than yesterday - down 12.5%), 40% above the lowest observed value of 5.0 on 5/6/2021 and 96% below the highest observed value of 175.0 on 4/24/2020.
Statewide, hospitals reported 9,253 non-ICU beds, of which 7,658 (82.8%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 321 (3.5%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 1,274 (13.8%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,384 ICU beds, of which 905 (65.4%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 138 (10.0%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 341 (24.6%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported yesterday a total of 9,274 non-ICU beds, of which 7,789 (84.0%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 332 (4%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 1,153 (12.4%) remained available. Hospitals also reported yesterday a total of 1,380 ICU beds, of which 898 (65.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 137 (9.9%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 345 (25.0%) remained available.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,012.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 9.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 685.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 2.03% (or 3.62% excluding higher education).
The daily raw data file used to create this report is available here.
Day-to-day deaths held constant; cases dropped, but tests dropped proportionately more, which may explain the uptick in the seven-day positivity average. The estimated active case count dropped again, and is down below twenty thousand for the first time since November 6, 2020, back when the fall surge was getting underway. Overall hospitalizations are down again, as are the seven-day averages for cases, deaths and hospitalizations. All the seven-day averages are below where they were two weeks ago. Overall, pretty good news going into the weekend, with the obvious caveat that we've still got way too many cases for comfort.
On the vaccination front, the state has now gotten nearly four million residents at least partially vaccinated:
Massachusetts will soon cross the threshold of having more than 4 million residents with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine — meaning almost 58 percent the population has some measure of immunity to the deadly virus. But just how important is that benchmark?
Let's take a peek at the data to find out.
When the vaccine rollout began, Governor Charlie Baker set a goal of fully vaccinating 4.1 million Massachusetts residents out of a total population of about 6.9 million people. The thinking was that getting that many people vaccinated was a "reasonable, herd immunity-approaching strategy for the adult eligible population," Dr. Paul Biddinger, chairman of the state's COVID-19 vaccine advisory group, told the Globe in February.
In terms of shots, Massachusetts hasn't hit that milestone yet. But as of Friday, the state was reporting a tally of 3.7 million first doses of Pfizer or Moderna administered, plus 218,831 total Johnson & Johnson shots. That's 3,977,531 residents who are now either partially or completely vaccinated — just shy of 4 million.
And hitting that benchmark is noteworthy, according to Northeastern epidemiologist Samuel V. Scarpino.
Scarpino said in an e-mail that vaccinating 4 million residents, even partially, "in only a few months is an incredible accomplishment. Achieving this level of coverage is also how we prevented a larger B.1.1.7-related [variant] surge and how we saved hundreds of lives. However, we need to remain focused on ensuring that we get to 80 or 90 percent of the entire state population fully vaccinated by late September when respiratory disease season restarts."
[ ... ]
Massachusetts, Baker told reporters during a briefing Thursday, is outpacing the rest of the nation on vaccines, which could forecast a summer with comparatively fewer restrictions than last year.
"We continue to lead the nation with respect to our vaccination effort, per capita," Baker said.
So should we expect to belly-flop on that slip-and-slide in July with large, maskless crowds cheering us on in the park between sips of Sam Summer? That depends.
"Based on the public health data, which continues to move in a positive direction, our goal is to have all limits and restrictions wind down by the middle of the summer," Baker told reporters.
I've been more than a bit skeptical of the state's push to reopen over the last few weeks, but it does appear as though they made a good call and the vaccination program is having an impact on the caseload.
The town of Acton's current Google Data Studio dashboard is showing 14 active and 970 cumulative cases as of May 7. The most recent "newsflash style update" at 6PM on April 27, 2021 reported 951 cumulative cases with 13 individuals in isolation, 906 persons recovered and 32 fatalities.