Local COVID-19 updates
May. 24th, 2022 05:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
edschweppeAs of 5PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 33 newly reported confirmed deaths (25 more than yesterday - up 312.5%) for a total of 19,363 deaths, 2,693 newly reported confirmed cases (4,933 less than yesterday - down 64.7%) for a total of 1,701,280 cases, and 29,257 newly reported molecular tests (70,973 less than yesterday - down 70.8%). Note that today's death data covers 3 days. Averaged over that period, there were 11.0 newly reported deaths per day (3 more than yesterday - up 37.5%). Note that yesterday's case/test data covers 3 days. Averaged over that period, there were 2,542.0 newly reported cases per day and today's newly reported cases are 151 more than yesterday's values - up 5.9%. There were 33,410.0 newly reported molecular tests per day and today's newly reported tests are 4,153 less than yesterday's values - down 12.4%.
The seven day average positivity rate is 8.58%, compared to 8.30% yesterday. The state also reported 6 newly reported probable deaths (2 less than yesterday - down 25.0%) for a total of 1,170 and 443 newly reported probable cases (294 less than yesterday - down 39.9%) for a total of 150,511. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 39 new deaths for a total of 20,533 and 3,136 new cases for a total of 1,851,791. There were 835 COVID-19 patients in hospital (28 more than yesterday - up 3.5%), 79 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (5 more than yesterday - up 6.8%) and 39 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (15 more than yesterday - up 62.5%).
Of the four overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics"), the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 2,484.0 (320 less than yesterday - down 11.4%), 3,781% above the lowest observed value of 64.0 on 6/25/2021 and 90.0% below the highest observed value of 23,198.0 on 1/8/2022. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 8.58% (0 more than yesterday - up 3.4%), 2,687% above the lowest observed value of 0.3% on 6/25/2021 and 69% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 826.0 (24 more than yesterday - up 3.0%), 883% above the lowest observed value of 84.0 on 7/8/2021 and 79% below the highest observed value of 3,874.0 on 4/27/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 9.0 (1 more than yesterday - up 12.5%), 800% above the lowest observed value of 1.0 on 7/11/2021 and 95% below the highest observed value of 176.0 on 4/24/2020.
Statewide, hospitals reported 8,852 non-ICU beds, of which 7,273 (82.2%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 756 (8.5%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 823 (9.3%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,241 ICU beds, of which 910 (73.3%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 79 (6.4%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 252 (20.3%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported yesterday a total of 8,858 non-ICU beds, of which 7,497 (84.6%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 733 (8%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 628 (7.1%) remained available. Hospitals also reported yesterday a total of 1,258 ICU beds, of which 964 (76.6%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 74 (5.9%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 220 (17.5%) remained available.
One week ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 3,071.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 8.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 748.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 9.12%.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 2,606.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 6.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 606.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 7.58%.
One year ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 304.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 8.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 302.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 0.92% (or 1.42% excluding higher education).
The daily raw data file used to create this report is available here.
As of May 23, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3220 counties nationwide, 1941 counties (60.28% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 509 counties (15.81% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 543 counties (16.86% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 227 counties (7.05% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts have a Community Tranmission Level of High.
Barnstable County has 318.790 cases per 100k, 10.88 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Berkshire County has 691.510 cases per 100k, 10.1 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Bristol County has 331.020 cases per 100k, 10.1 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Dukes County has 248.100 cases per 100k, 7.28 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Essex County has 358.030 cases per 100k, 10.07 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Franklin County has 290.680 cases per 100k, 7.23 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Hampden County has 460.790 cases per 100k, 12.44 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Hampshire County has 471.930 cases per 100k, 6.67 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Middlesex County has 464.480 cases per 100k, 9.32 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Nantucket County has 140.360 cases per 100k, 10.38 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Norfolk County has 372.820 cases per 100k, 10.53 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Plymouth County has 292.210 cases per 100k, 9.56 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Suffolk County has 401.790 cases per 100k, 9.32 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Worcester County has 330.720 cases per 100k, 9.02 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
The underlying query for this data is available here.
As of May 19, 2022, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3224 counties nationwide: 297 counties (9.21%, representing 16.14% of the population) with High community level, 483 counties (14.98%, representing 29.43% of the population) with Medium community level, and 2444 counties (75.81%, representing 54.44% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported the following COVID Community Levels for the 14 counties in Massachusetts: 10 counties (representing 82.53% of the state's population) with High community level (Barnstable, Berkshire, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester), and 4 counties (representing 17.47% of the state's population) with Medium community level (Bristol, Hampden, Hampshire, Nantucket).
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 344.62 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 745.93 cases per 100k, 17.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 8.7 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 322.18 cases per 100k, 9.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Dukes County (population 17332) has 253.87 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Essex County (population 789034) has 383.76 cases per 100k, 10.8 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.6 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 280.71 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 484.16 cases per 100k, 7.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 6.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 545.92 cases per 100k, 7.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 6.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 492.03 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 166.68 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 385.7 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 290.67 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 415.47 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 356.6 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
Still too much damn noise in day-over-day case and death count comparisons to feel comfortable drawing any conclusions, but it does look like deaths (averaged over three days) are up from yesterday and cases are up from yesterday (averaged over three days). Hospitalizations are also up again. The seven-day averages are mixed, with cases down from yesterday and deaths, hospitalizations and percent-positive all up.
There may be a bit of light at the end of the (sewer-outfall) tunnel, though, as the virus levels in Boston-area wastewater do appear to be dropping:
The town of Acton's current Google Data Studio dashboard is showing 34 active and 3,361 cumulative cases as of May 23. In the most recent "newsflash style update" at 7PM on December 21, 2021, the town reported 1538 cumulative cases with 89 individuals in isolation, 1417 recovered and 32 fatalities.
The seven day average positivity rate is 8.58%, compared to 8.30% yesterday. The state also reported 6 newly reported probable deaths (2 less than yesterday - down 25.0%) for a total of 1,170 and 443 newly reported probable cases (294 less than yesterday - down 39.9%) for a total of 150,511. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 39 new deaths for a total of 20,533 and 3,136 new cases for a total of 1,851,791. There were 835 COVID-19 patients in hospital (28 more than yesterday - up 3.5%), 79 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (5 more than yesterday - up 6.8%) and 39 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (15 more than yesterday - up 62.5%).
Of the four overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics"), the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 2,484.0 (320 less than yesterday - down 11.4%), 3,781% above the lowest observed value of 64.0 on 6/25/2021 and 90.0% below the highest observed value of 23,198.0 on 1/8/2022. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 8.58% (0 more than yesterday - up 3.4%), 2,687% above the lowest observed value of 0.3% on 6/25/2021 and 69% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 826.0 (24 more than yesterday - up 3.0%), 883% above the lowest observed value of 84.0 on 7/8/2021 and 79% below the highest observed value of 3,874.0 on 4/27/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 9.0 (1 more than yesterday - up 12.5%), 800% above the lowest observed value of 1.0 on 7/11/2021 and 95% below the highest observed value of 176.0 on 4/24/2020.
Statewide, hospitals reported 8,852 non-ICU beds, of which 7,273 (82.2%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 756 (8.5%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 823 (9.3%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,241 ICU beds, of which 910 (73.3%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 79 (6.4%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 252 (20.3%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported yesterday a total of 8,858 non-ICU beds, of which 7,497 (84.6%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 733 (8%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 628 (7.1%) remained available. Hospitals also reported yesterday a total of 1,258 ICU beds, of which 964 (76.6%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 74 (5.9%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 220 (17.5%) remained available.
One week ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 3,071.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 8.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 748.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 9.12%.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 2,606.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 6.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 606.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 7.58%.
One year ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 304.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 8.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 302.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 0.92% (or 1.42% excluding higher education).
The daily raw data file used to create this report is available here.
As of May 23, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3220 counties nationwide, 1941 counties (60.28% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 509 counties (15.81% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 543 counties (16.86% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 227 counties (7.05% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts have a Community Tranmission Level of High.
Barnstable County has 318.790 cases per 100k, 10.88 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Berkshire County has 691.510 cases per 100k, 10.1 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Bristol County has 331.020 cases per 100k, 10.1 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Dukes County has 248.100 cases per 100k, 7.28 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Essex County has 358.030 cases per 100k, 10.07 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Franklin County has 290.680 cases per 100k, 7.23 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Hampden County has 460.790 cases per 100k, 12.44 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Hampshire County has 471.930 cases per 100k, 6.67 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Middlesex County has 464.480 cases per 100k, 9.32 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Nantucket County has 140.360 cases per 100k, 10.38 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Norfolk County has 372.820 cases per 100k, 10.53 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Plymouth County has 292.210 cases per 100k, 9.56 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Suffolk County has 401.790 cases per 100k, 9.32 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
Worcester County has 330.720 cases per 100k, 9.02 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of high
The underlying query for this data is available here.
As of May 19, 2022, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3224 counties nationwide: 297 counties (9.21%, representing 16.14% of the population) with High community level, 483 counties (14.98%, representing 29.43% of the population) with Medium community level, and 2444 counties (75.81%, representing 54.44% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported the following COVID Community Levels for the 14 counties in Massachusetts: 10 counties (representing 82.53% of the state's population) with High community level (Barnstable, Berkshire, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester), and 4 counties (representing 17.47% of the state's population) with Medium community level (Bristol, Hampden, Hampshire, Nantucket).
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 344.62 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 745.93 cases per 100k, 17.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 8.7 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 322.18 cases per 100k, 9.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Dukes County (population 17332) has 253.87 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Essex County (population 789034) has 383.76 cases per 100k, 10.8 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.6 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 280.71 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 484.16 cases per 100k, 7.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 6.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 545.92 cases per 100k, 7.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 6.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 492.03 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 166.68 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of Medium.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 385.7 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 290.67 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 415.47 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 4.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 356.6 cases per 100k, 14.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of High and a community level of High.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
Still too much damn noise in day-over-day case and death count comparisons to feel comfortable drawing any conclusions, but it does look like deaths (averaged over three days) are up from yesterday and cases are up from yesterday (averaged over three days). Hospitalizations are also up again. The seven-day averages are mixed, with cases down from yesterday and deaths, hospitalizations and percent-positive all up.
There may be a bit of light at the end of the (sewer-outfall) tunnel, though, as the virus levels in Boston-area wastewater do appear to be dropping:
Is it just a blip or the beginning of a much-anticipated trend? The levels of coronavirus detected in Eastern Massachusetts waste water have turned downward in recent days, raising the possibility that a weekslong COVID-19 wave could be weakening.
As of Monday, the levels had dropped for six straight days for the communities in the southern section of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system and five of six days for the northern section.
Officials say waste water virus data can be an important early warning signal, detecting COVID-19 infections before people get tested and the tests are officially reported. As more people are using rapid, at-home tests, whose results are usually not reported to state public health officials, waste water testing has become a key indicator of the virus's prevalence.
"We're hopefully headed down, but I think it's not clear yet that we're on the far side of the peak," said Jonathan Levy, who chairs the department of environmental health at Boston University's School of Public Health. "It's a time for watchful waiting."
"We should remain cautious. Obviously, it's graduation and prom season right now so there's definitely exposure opportunities out there," he said. "We should be mindful, keep an eye on things, and hope for continued improvement but also know that it's partly in our control. The next couple of weeks will certainly be telling."
[ ... ]
Waste water from 43 communities, including Boston, converges at the MWRA's Deer Island plant on Boston Harbor for treatment before being piped miles into the ocean. The water is tested for traces of the deadly virus. The MWRA reports numbers for both the southern and northern regions of its system. The testing determines the number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies per milliliter of waste water.
In the northern MWRA region, the seven-day average was 1,035 RNA copies/mL as of Monday. The number had gone as high as 1,273 on May 17, but it then dropped for five of the next six days.
In the southern region, the seven-day average was 925 RNA copies/mL on Monday. The number had gone as high as 1,332 on May 17, but it then dropped six days in a row.
The town of Acton's current Google Data Studio dashboard is showing 34 active and 3,361 cumulative cases as of May 23. In the most recent "newsflash style update" at 7PM on December 21, 2021, the town reported 1538 cumulative cases with 89 individuals in isolation, 1417 recovered and 32 fatalities.