Edmund Schweppe (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
edschweppe) wrote2023-03-09 06:34 pm
edschweppe) wrote2023-03-09 06:34 pm
Entry tags:
Local COVID-19 updates
As of 5PM today (Thursday March 09, 2023), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 61 newly reported confirmed deaths (26 less than last Thursday - down 29.9%) for a total of 22,365 deaths, 2,703 newly reported confirmed cases (653 less than last Thursday - down 19.5%) for a total of 2,024,403 cases, and 57,662 newly reported molecular tests (3,033 less than last Thursday - down 5.0%). Note that today's death data covers 7 days. Averaged over that period, there were 8.7 newly reported deaths per day (78 less than last Thursday - down 90.0%).
Note that today's case/test data covers 7 days. Averaged over that period, there were 386.1 newly reported cases per day (2,970 less than last Thursday - down 88.5%), and 8,237.4 newly reported molecular tests per day (52,458 less than last Thursday - down 86.4%).
Note that last Thursday's death data covers 7 days. Averaged over that period, there were 12.4 newly reported deaths per day and today's newly reported deaths are 49 more than last Thursday's values - up 390.8%.
Note that last Thursday's case/test data covers 7 days. Averaged over that period, there were 479.4 newly reported cases per day and today's newly reported cases are 2,224 more than last Thursday's values - up 463.8%. There were 8,670.7 newly reported molecular tests per day and today's newly reported tests are 48,991 more than last Thursday's values - up 565.0%.
The seven day average positivity rate is 4.85%, compared to 5.88% last Thursday. The state also reported 23 newly reported probable deaths (8 less than last Thursday - down 25.8%) for a total of 1,968 and 672 newly reported probable cases (64 less than last Thursday - down 8.7%) for a total of 199,934. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 84 new deaths for a total of 24,333 and 3,375 new cases for a total of 2,224,337. There were 458 COVID-19 patients in hospital (86 less than last Thursday - down 15.8%), 53 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (9 more than last Thursday - up 20.5%) and 8 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (4 less than last Thursday - down 33.3%).
Of the four overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics"), the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 288.0 (60 less than last Thursday - down 17.2%), 350% above the lowest observed value of 64.0 on 6/25/2021 and 99.0% below the highest observed value of 23,233.0 on 1/8/2022. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 4.85% (0 less than last Thursday - down 17.5%), 1,475% above the lowest observed value of 0.3% on 6/25/2021 and 82% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 481.0 (84 less than last Thursday - down 14.9%), 472% above the lowest observed value of 84.0 on 7/8/2021 and 88% 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 (2 less than last Thursday - down 22.2%), 600% above the lowest observed value of 1.0 on 7/11/2021 and 97% below the highest observed value of 176.0 on 4/24/2020.
Statewide, hospitals reported 8,674 non-ICU beds, of which 7,754 (89.4%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 405 (4.7%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 515 (5.9%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,225 ICU beds, of which 945 (77.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 53 (4.3%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 227 (18.5%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported last Thursday a total of 8,692 non-ICU beds, of which 7,620 (87.7%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 500 (6%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 572 (6.6%) remained available. Hospitals also reported last Thursday a total of 1,210 ICU beds, of which 933 (77.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 44 (3.6%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 233 (19.3%) remained available.
One week ago (March 2), the 7 day confirmed case average was 348.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 9.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 565.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 5.88%.
Two weeks ago (February 23), the 7 day confirmed case average was 408.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 9.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 617.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 6.74%.
One year ago (March 9, 2022), the 7 day confirmed case average was 537.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 19.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 327.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 1.61%.
Today being Thursday, the state also included city/town specific information in the daily download. My town of Acton is listed as having 4,224 total cases, with a two-week case count of 11 cases, a daily incidence rate of 3.3 which is lower than last week, with a corresponding risk color code of green (if the state was still reporting color codes). Acton is also listed as having 114,437 total tests, with a two-week total test count of 334 and a two-week positive test count of 16, for a percent-positive rate of 4.79 which is lower than last week. The corresponding statewide figures are 2,024,403 total cases, with a two-week case count of 5,654 cases, a daily incidence rate of 5.7 which is lower than last week. Massachusetts is also listed as having 49,643,025 total tests, with a two-week total test count of 112,503 and a two-week positive test count of 6,568, for a percent-positive rate of 5.84 which is lower than last week.
As of July 1, 2021, the state is no longer reporting risk color codes. However, if it was, of the 351 cites and towns in the Commonwealth, 204 would be coded gray (compared to 182 last week), 26 would be coded green (compared to 20 last week), and 117 would be coded yellow (compared to 134 last week).The remaining 4 towns would be coded red (compared to 15 last week): Athol, North Adams, Palmer, and Pittsfield.
2 cities/towns would be newly coded red this week (Athol, and North Adams) and 13 cities/towns would no longer be coded red this week (Acushnet, Agawam, Carver, Danvers, Dracut, Holden, Leominster, Ludlow, Reading, Springfield, Uxbridge, Ware, and Wilbraham).
Of the 10 towns nearby (including my own town), 5 are coded gray (Boxborough, Carlisle, Littleton, Maynard, and Stow), one is coded green (Acton), 4 are coded yellow (Chelmsford, Concord, Sudbury, and Westford), and none are coded red.
Of the 10 towns near my church, 6 are coded gray (Berlin, Bolton, Boxborough, Harvard, Maynard, and Stow), one is coded green (Acton), 3 are coded yellow (Hudson, Marlborough, and Sudbury), and none are coded red.
The daily raw data file used to create this report is available here.
As of March 9, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 1862 new deaths and 170576 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 84 new deaths and 3375 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of March 2, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 2265 new deaths and 226995 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 118 new deaths and 4092 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
As of March 9, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3222 counties nationwide, 1318 counties (40.91% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 848 counties (26.32% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 829 counties (25.73% 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, of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, 3 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial (Barnstable, Berkshire, Hampden), and 11 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate (Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester).
Barnstable County has 58.22 cases per 100k, 5.94 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Berkshire County has 88.04 cases per 100k, 7.24 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Bristol County has 34.15 cases per 100k, 7.29 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Dukes County has 34.62 cases per 100k, 6.34 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 38.78 cases per 100k, 4.51 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 31.35 cases per 100k, 3.58 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 50.6 cases per 100k, 5.12 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Hampshire County has 36.68 cases per 100k, 3.15 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 39.34 cases per 100k, 5.44 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 35.09 cases per 100k, 4.23 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Norfolk County has 29.57 cases per 100k, 4.79 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 29.93 cases per 100k, 5.7 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 35.33 cases per 100k, 4.76 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 44.18 cases per 100k, 6.01 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
The underlying query for this data is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of March 2, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3222 counties nationwide, 1574 counties (48.85% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 874 counties (27.13% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 604 counties (18.75% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 170 counties (5.28% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that, of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, 4 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial (Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Hampden), and 10 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate (Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester).
Barnstable County has 58.22 cases per 100k, 6.73 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Berkshire County has 88.04 cases per 100k, 7.6 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Bristol County has 49.18 cases per 100k, 9.0 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Dukes County has 23.08 cases per 100k, 2.3 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 46.13 cases per 100k, 5.01 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 29.92 cases per 100k, 5.41 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 62.4 cases per 100k, 5.73 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Hampshire County has 34.82 cases per 100k, 4.68 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 47.53 cases per 100k, 6.56 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 26.32 cases per 100k, 4.4 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Norfolk County has 43.86 cases per 100k, 6.04 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 48.35 cases per 100k, 7.07 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 46.27 cases per 100k, 5.49 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 49.6 cases per 100k, 6.59 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
The underlying query for this data is available here.
As of March 9, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3219 counties nationwide: 61 counties (1.89%, representing 0.27% of the population) with High community level, 420 counties (13.05%, representing 9.48% of the population) with Medium community level, and 2738 counties (85.06%, representing 90.24% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported the following COVID Community Levels for the 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503): 3 counties (representing 14.88% of the state's population) with Medium community level (Berkshire, Franklin, Worcester), and 11 counties (representing 85.12% of the state's population) with Low community level (Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk).
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 58.22 cases per 100k (implying 124.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 88.04 cases per 100k (implying 110.00 cases in the county), 11.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Medium.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 34.15 cases per 100k (implying 193.02 cases in the county), 6.5 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Dukes County (population 17332) has 34.62 cases per 100k (implying 6.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Essex County (population 789034) has 38.78 cases per 100k (implying 305.99 cases in the county), 5.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 31.35 cases per 100k (implying 22.00 cases in the county), 10.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.8 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 50.6 cases per 100k (implying 235.98 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 36.68 cases per 100k (implying 58.99 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 39.34 cases per 100k (implying 634.04 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 35.09 cases per 100k (implying 4.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 29.57 cases per 100k (implying 208.99 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 29.93 cases per 100k (implying 156.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 35.33 cases per 100k (implying 284.02 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 44.18 cases per 100k (implying 366.97 cases in the county), 10.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.8 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 2,710.01 cases statewide.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of March 2, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3222 counties nationwide: 80 counties (2.48%, representing 0.57% of the population) with High community level, 502 counties (15.58%, representing 14.50% of the population) with Medium community level, and 2640 counties (81.94%, representing 84.94% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported the following COVID Community Levels for the 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503): 9 counties (representing 69.44% of the state's population) with Medium community level (Barnstable, Dukes, Franklin, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester), and 5 counties (representing 30.56% of the state's population) with Low community level (Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire).
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 58.22 cases per 100k (implying 124.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Medium.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 88.04 cases per 100k (implying 110.00 cases in the county), 7.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 6.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 49.18 cases per 100k (implying 277.97 cases in the county), 7.6 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Dukes County (population 17332) has 23.08 cases per 100k (implying 4.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Essex County (population 789034) has 46.13 cases per 100k (implying 363.98 cases in the county), 6.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 29.92 cases per 100k (implying 21.00 cases in the county), 10.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 62.4 cases per 100k (implying 291.02 cases in the county), 7.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 34.82 cases per 100k (implying 56.00 cases in the county), 7.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 47.53 cases per 100k (implying 766.04 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 26.32 cases per 100k (implying 3.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 43.86 cases per 100k (implying 309.99 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 48.35 cases per 100k (implying 252.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 46.27 cases per 100k (implying 371.97 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 49.6 cases per 100k (implying 411.99 cases in the county), 10.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 3,362.96 cases statewide.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
(The town of Acton has stopped updating its COVID-19 Information Center and Google Data Studio dashboard.)
Statewide, newly reported deaths and cases are both down substantially compared to last week, as are the hospitalization counts and the four seven-day averages; this is all very good looking news. The one fly in the ointment, as far as I'm concerned, is that the newly reported test counts are also dropping. The state only reported 57,662 new molecular tests over the past week, the lowest seven-day figure in the entire dataset (starting June 1, 2020). The state has reported at least a hundred thousand tests per week every week from July 16, 2020 through November 10, 2022; the state has reported under seventy thousand tests per week every week since January 19, 2023. It seems pretty damn obvious to me that the state's official counts seriously underestimate the amount of COVID out there. Presumably, the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suffer from the same undercounting of cases.
Meanwhile, the latest wastewater data from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority is showing seven-day average counts of 466 and 416 copies/mL from the south and north sides as of March 7. Last March 7, those averages were 117 and 102 copies/mL, respectively. Four times as much COVID in the wastewater compared to a year ago, yet half the case rate? Gotta admit, that doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence in the current case numbers.
And the Boston Globe ran a couple of stories about long COVID on their website recently. Yesterday, they reported on a study from the United Kingdom showing that nearly sixty percent of long COVID patients had damage to at least one organ. Today, they've got a story from Bloomberg about a possible link between long COVID and the recent surge in disability among American women.
Yay. </sarcasm>
Note that today's case/test data covers 7 days. Averaged over that period, there were 386.1 newly reported cases per day (2,970 less than last Thursday - down 88.5%), and 8,237.4 newly reported molecular tests per day (52,458 less than last Thursday - down 86.4%).
Note that last Thursday's death data covers 7 days. Averaged over that period, there were 12.4 newly reported deaths per day and today's newly reported deaths are 49 more than last Thursday's values - up 390.8%.
Note that last Thursday's case/test data covers 7 days. Averaged over that period, there were 479.4 newly reported cases per day and today's newly reported cases are 2,224 more than last Thursday's values - up 463.8%. There were 8,670.7 newly reported molecular tests per day and today's newly reported tests are 48,991 more than last Thursday's values - up 565.0%.
The seven day average positivity rate is 4.85%, compared to 5.88% last Thursday. The state also reported 23 newly reported probable deaths (8 less than last Thursday - down 25.8%) for a total of 1,968 and 672 newly reported probable cases (64 less than last Thursday - down 8.7%) for a total of 199,934. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 84 new deaths for a total of 24,333 and 3,375 new cases for a total of 2,224,337. There were 458 COVID-19 patients in hospital (86 less than last Thursday - down 15.8%), 53 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (9 more than last Thursday - up 20.5%) and 8 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (4 less than last Thursday - down 33.3%).
Of the four overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics"), the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 288.0 (60 less than last Thursday - down 17.2%), 350% above the lowest observed value of 64.0 on 6/25/2021 and 99.0% below the highest observed value of 23,233.0 on 1/8/2022. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 4.85% (0 less than last Thursday - down 17.5%), 1,475% above the lowest observed value of 0.3% on 6/25/2021 and 82% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 481.0 (84 less than last Thursday - down 14.9%), 472% above the lowest observed value of 84.0 on 7/8/2021 and 88% 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 (2 less than last Thursday - down 22.2%), 600% above the lowest observed value of 1.0 on 7/11/2021 and 97% below the highest observed value of 176.0 on 4/24/2020.
Statewide, hospitals reported 8,674 non-ICU beds, of which 7,754 (89.4%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 405 (4.7%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 515 (5.9%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,225 ICU beds, of which 945 (77.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 53 (4.3%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 227 (18.5%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported last Thursday a total of 8,692 non-ICU beds, of which 7,620 (87.7%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 500 (6%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 572 (6.6%) remained available. Hospitals also reported last Thursday a total of 1,210 ICU beds, of which 933 (77.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 44 (3.6%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 233 (19.3%) remained available.
One week ago (March 2), the 7 day confirmed case average was 348.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 9.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 565.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 5.88%.
Two weeks ago (February 23), the 7 day confirmed case average was 408.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 9.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 617.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 6.74%.
One year ago (March 9, 2022), the 7 day confirmed case average was 537.0, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 19.0, the 7 day hospitalization average was 327.0, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 1.61%.
Today being Thursday, the state also included city/town specific information in the daily download. My town of Acton is listed as having 4,224 total cases, with a two-week case count of 11 cases, a daily incidence rate of 3.3 which is lower than last week, with a corresponding risk color code of green (if the state was still reporting color codes). Acton is also listed as having 114,437 total tests, with a two-week total test count of 334 and a two-week positive test count of 16, for a percent-positive rate of 4.79 which is lower than last week. The corresponding statewide figures are 2,024,403 total cases, with a two-week case count of 5,654 cases, a daily incidence rate of 5.7 which is lower than last week. Massachusetts is also listed as having 49,643,025 total tests, with a two-week total test count of 112,503 and a two-week positive test count of 6,568, for a percent-positive rate of 5.84 which is lower than last week.
As of July 1, 2021, the state is no longer reporting risk color codes. However, if it was, of the 351 cites and towns in the Commonwealth, 204 would be coded gray (compared to 182 last week), 26 would be coded green (compared to 20 last week), and 117 would be coded yellow (compared to 134 last week).The remaining 4 towns would be coded red (compared to 15 last week): Athol, North Adams, Palmer, and Pittsfield.
2 cities/towns would be newly coded red this week (Athol, and North Adams) and 13 cities/towns would no longer be coded red this week (Acushnet, Agawam, Carver, Danvers, Dracut, Holden, Leominster, Ludlow, Reading, Springfield, Uxbridge, Ware, and Wilbraham).
Of the 10 towns nearby (including my own town), 5 are coded gray (Boxborough, Carlisle, Littleton, Maynard, and Stow), one is coded green (Acton), 4 are coded yellow (Chelmsford, Concord, Sudbury, and Westford), and none are coded red.
Of the 10 towns near my church, 6 are coded gray (Berlin, Bolton, Boxborough, Harvard, Maynard, and Stow), one is coded green (Acton), 3 are coded yellow (Hudson, Marlborough, and Sudbury), and none are coded red.
The daily raw data file used to create this report is available here.
As of March 9, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 1862 new deaths and 170576 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 84 new deaths and 3375 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of March 2, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 2265 new deaths and 226995 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 118 new deaths and 4092 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
As of March 9, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3222 counties nationwide, 1318 counties (40.91% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 848 counties (26.32% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 829 counties (25.73% 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, of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, 3 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial (Barnstable, Berkshire, Hampden), and 11 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate (Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester).
Barnstable County has 58.22 cases per 100k, 5.94 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Berkshire County has 88.04 cases per 100k, 7.24 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Bristol County has 34.15 cases per 100k, 7.29 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Dukes County has 34.62 cases per 100k, 6.34 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 38.78 cases per 100k, 4.51 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 31.35 cases per 100k, 3.58 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 50.6 cases per 100k, 5.12 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Hampshire County has 36.68 cases per 100k, 3.15 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 39.34 cases per 100k, 5.44 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 35.09 cases per 100k, 4.23 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Norfolk County has 29.57 cases per 100k, 4.79 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 29.93 cases per 100k, 5.7 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 35.33 cases per 100k, 4.76 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 44.18 cases per 100k, 6.01 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
The underlying query for this data is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of March 2, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3222 counties nationwide, 1574 counties (48.85% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 874 counties (27.13% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 604 counties (18.75% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 170 counties (5.28% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that, of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, 4 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial (Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Hampden), and 10 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate (Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester).
Barnstable County has 58.22 cases per 100k, 6.73 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Berkshire County has 88.04 cases per 100k, 7.6 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Bristol County has 49.18 cases per 100k, 9.0 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Dukes County has 23.08 cases per 100k, 2.3 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 46.13 cases per 100k, 5.01 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 29.92 cases per 100k, 5.41 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 62.4 cases per 100k, 5.73 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Hampshire County has 34.82 cases per 100k, 4.68 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 47.53 cases per 100k, 6.56 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 26.32 cases per 100k, 4.4 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Norfolk County has 43.86 cases per 100k, 6.04 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 48.35 cases per 100k, 7.07 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 46.27 cases per 100k, 5.49 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 49.6 cases per 100k, 6.59 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
The underlying query for this data is available here.
As of March 9, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3219 counties nationwide: 61 counties (1.89%, representing 0.27% of the population) with High community level, 420 counties (13.05%, representing 9.48% of the population) with Medium community level, and 2738 counties (85.06%, representing 90.24% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported the following COVID Community Levels for the 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503): 3 counties (representing 14.88% of the state's population) with Medium community level (Berkshire, Franklin, Worcester), and 11 counties (representing 85.12% of the state's population) with Low community level (Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk).
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 58.22 cases per 100k (implying 124.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 88.04 cases per 100k (implying 110.00 cases in the county), 11.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Medium.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 34.15 cases per 100k (implying 193.02 cases in the county), 6.5 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Dukes County (population 17332) has 34.62 cases per 100k (implying 6.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Essex County (population 789034) has 38.78 cases per 100k (implying 305.99 cases in the county), 5.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 31.35 cases per 100k (implying 22.00 cases in the county), 10.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.8 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 50.6 cases per 100k (implying 235.98 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 36.68 cases per 100k (implying 58.99 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 39.34 cases per 100k (implying 634.04 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 35.09 cases per 100k (implying 4.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 29.57 cases per 100k (implying 208.99 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 29.93 cases per 100k (implying 156.00 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 35.33 cases per 100k (implying 284.02 cases in the county), 8.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 44.18 cases per 100k (implying 366.97 cases in the county), 10.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.8 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 2,710.01 cases statewide.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of March 2, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3222 counties nationwide: 80 counties (2.48%, representing 0.57% of the population) with High community level, 502 counties (15.58%, representing 14.50% of the population) with Medium community level, and 2640 counties (81.94%, representing 84.94% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported the following COVID Community Levels for the 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503): 9 counties (representing 69.44% of the state's population) with Medium community level (Barnstable, Dukes, Franklin, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester), and 5 counties (representing 30.56% of the state's population) with Low community level (Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire).
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 58.22 cases per 100k (implying 124.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Medium.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 88.04 cases per 100k (implying 110.00 cases in the county), 7.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 6.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 49.18 cases per 100k (implying 277.97 cases in the county), 7.6 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Dukes County (population 17332) has 23.08 cases per 100k (implying 4.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Essex County (population 789034) has 46.13 cases per 100k (implying 363.98 cases in the county), 6.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 29.92 cases per 100k (implying 21.00 cases in the county), 10.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 62.4 cases per 100k (implying 291.02 cases in the county), 7.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 34.82 cases per 100k (implying 56.00 cases in the county), 7.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 5.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 47.53 cases per 100k (implying 766.04 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 26.32 cases per 100k (implying 3.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 43.86 cases per 100k (implying 309.99 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 48.35 cases per 100k (implying 252.00 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 46.27 cases per 100k (implying 371.97 cases in the county), 10.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.1 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 49.6 cases per 100k (implying 411.99 cases in the county), 10.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.4 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Medium.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 3,362.96 cases statewide.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
(The town of Acton has stopped updating its COVID-19 Information Center and Google Data Studio dashboard.)
Statewide, newly reported deaths and cases are both down substantially compared to last week, as are the hospitalization counts and the four seven-day averages; this is all very good looking news. The one fly in the ointment, as far as I'm concerned, is that the newly reported test counts are also dropping. The state only reported 57,662 new molecular tests over the past week, the lowest seven-day figure in the entire dataset (starting June 1, 2020). The state has reported at least a hundred thousand tests per week every week from July 16, 2020 through November 10, 2022; the state has reported under seventy thousand tests per week every week since January 19, 2023. It seems pretty damn obvious to me that the state's official counts seriously underestimate the amount of COVID out there. Presumably, the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suffer from the same undercounting of cases.
Meanwhile, the latest wastewater data from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority is showing seven-day average counts of 466 and 416 copies/mL from the south and north sides as of March 7. Last March 7, those averages were 117 and 102 copies/mL, respectively. Four times as much COVID in the wastewater compared to a year ago, yet half the case rate? Gotta admit, that doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence in the current case numbers.
And the Boston Globe ran a couple of stories about long COVID on their website recently. Yesterday, they reported on a study from the United Kingdom showing that nearly sixty percent of long COVID patients had damage to at least one organ. Today, they've got a story from Bloomberg about a possible link between long COVID and the recent surge in disability among American women.
Yay. </sarcasm>