Local COVID-19 updates
Apr. 20th, 2023 07:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
edschweppeI have been able to find a source for the levels of COVID-19 virus in (some of) Massachusetts' wastewater (the raw data for the COVID-19 Wastewater Report), so I've added that to the new wall-o-text.
Any good news?
As of 5PM today (Thursday, April 20, 2023), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 15 newly reported confirmed deaths (2 less than last week - down 11.8%) for a total of 22,577 confirmed deaths. There were 13 newly reported probable deaths (2 less than last week - down 13.3%) for a total of 2,024 probable deaths. In total, 28 confirmed and probable new deaths were reported this week (4 less than last week - down 12.5%) for a total of 24,601 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. The state is also reporting 1,242 newly reported confirmed cases (327 less than last week - down 20.8%) for a total of 2,035,770 confirmed cases. There were 291 newly reported probable cases (8 more than last week - up 2.8%) for a total of 202,566 probable cases. In total, 1,533 confirmed and probable new cases were reported this week (319 less than last week - down 17.2%) for a total of 2,238,336 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. There were 41,514 new molecular tests (6,959 less than last week - down 14.4%) for a total of 49,953,939. The seven-day average positivity rate is 3.22%, compared to 3.48% last week. There are currently 273 COVID patients in Massachusetts hospitals (14 less than last week - down 4.9%), 29 COVID patients are in ICUs (2 more than last week - up 7.4%), and 6 COVID patients are intubated (2 less than last week - down 25.0%).
Of the overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics", the 7-day average number of newly confimed cases is 136.9 (28.3 less than last week - down 17.1%), 113.4% above the lowest observed value of 64.1 on 6/25/2021 and 99.4% below the highest observed value of 23,233.3 on 1/8/2022. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 3.22% (0.26 less than last week - down 7.6%), 945.0% above the lowest observed value of 0.31% on 6/25/2021 and 88.4% below the highest observed value of 27.67% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID patients in hospital is 270.3 (13.1 less than last week - down 4.6%), 220.7% above the lowest observed value of 84.3 on 7/8/2021 and 93.0% below the highest observed value of 3,874.1 on 4/27/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID deaths is 1.3 (0.6 less than last week - down 30.8%), 28.6% above the lowest observed value of 1.0 on 7/11/2021 and 99.3% below the highest observed value of 175.7 on 4/24/2020. The 7-day average number of molecular tests is 5,086.4 (726.4 less than last week - down 12.5%), 9.9% above the lowest observed value of 4,627.4 on 4/1/2020 and 95.4% below the highest observed value of 110,416.0 on 1/8/2022.
(Note that the seven-day averages for cases, percent-positive, hospitalizations and deaths are displayed in the "Overview Trends" section of the state dashboard. The seven-day average for number of molecular tests is not directly shown anywhere on the dashboard, but is included in the raw data. I am including it because low test totals can cause low reported case counts even with significant virus circulating statewide.)
Statewide, hospitals reported 8,692 non-ICU beds, of which 7,819 (90.0%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 244 (2.8%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 629 (7.2%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,214 ICU beds, of which 950 (78.3%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 29 (2.4%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 235 (19.4%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported last week 8,674 non-ICU beds, of which 7,811 (90.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 260 (3.0%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 603 (7.0%) remained available. Hospitals also reported last week 1,200 ICU beds, of which 947 (78.9%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 27 (2.2%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 226 (18.8%) remained available.
Summarizing the state results, and comparing to earlier dates:
Today (April 20), the 7 day molecular test average was 5,086.4, the 7 day confirmed case average was 136.9, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 1.3, the 7 day hospitalization average was 270.3, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.22%.
One week ago (April 13), the 7 day molecular test average was 5,812.9, the 7 day confirmed case average was 165.1, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 1.9, the 7 day hospitalization average was 283.4, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.48%.
Two weeks ago (April 6), the 7 day molecular test average was 6,411.3, the 7 day confirmed case average was 203.1, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 3.6, the 7 day hospitalization average was 308.9, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.70%.
One year ago (April 20, 2022), the 7 day molecular test average was 36,077.4, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,446.9, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 3.6, the 7 day hospitalization average was 337.6, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 4.34%.
Two years ago (April 20, 2021), the 7 day molecular test average was 65,812.6, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,181.9, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 7.1, the 7 day hospitalization average was 705.1, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 2.11%.
The ratio of tests per week between last year and the current date is 7.09; if we were still testing as frequently as then, we would be seeing approximately 970.7 cases per day. Similarly, the ratio of tests per week between two years ago and the current date is 12.94; if we were still testing as frequently as then, we would be seeing approximately 1,770.8 cases per day.
The raw data file for the Massachusetts dashboard is available here.
The Commonwealth is also reporting that,as of Thursday, April 13, 2023 (the most recent sample date in the state's wastewater report), the seven-day average level of COVID-19 in the wastewater from the north side of the Metropolitan Water Resources Authority (MWRA) sewershed was 225.4 copies per milliliter (78.1 less than one week prior - down 25.7%), 1,746.4% above the lowest observed value of 12.2 on 6/28/2020 and 97.4% above the highest observed value of 8,749.2 on 1/5/2022. By comparison, on the north side there were 275.5 copies/mL two weeks ago, 502.6 copies/mL one year ago, and 272.3 copies/mL two years ago.
The seven-day average level of COVID-19 in the wastewater from the south side of the MWRA sewershed was 254.0 copies per milliliter (31.7 less than one week prior - down 11.1%), 2,397.7% above the lowest observed value of 10.2 on 6/28/2021 and 97.8% above the highest observed value of 11,740.1 on 1/3/2022. By comparison, on the south side there were 235.2 copies/mL two weeks ago, 520.7 copies/mL one year ago, and 355.1 copies/mL two years ago.
The raw data file for the Massachusetts wastewater report is available here.
As of April 20, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 1160 new deaths and 94142 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 28 new deaths and 1533 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of April 13, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 1333 new deaths and 101598 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 32 new deaths and 1852 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
As of April 20, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3123 counties nationwide, 671 counties (21.49% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 468 counties (14.99% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 1393 counties (44.60% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 591 counties (18.92% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate.
Barnstable County has 32.4 cases per 100k, 5.06 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Berkshire County has 35.22 cases per 100k, 4.81 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Bristol County has 12.38 cases per 100k, 3.74 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Dukes County has 23.08 cases per 100k, 1.11 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 20.4 cases per 100k, 3.34 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 12.82 cases per 100k, 2.51 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 23.59 cases per 100k, 3.79 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampshire County has 13.68 cases per 100k, 3.15 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 21.72 cases per 100k, 3.86 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 35.09 cases per 100k, 1.54 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Norfolk County has 15.85 cases per 100k, 3.29 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 13.62 cases per 100k, 4.2 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 13.43 cases per 100k, 2.69 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 14.09 cases per 100k, 3.46 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 April 13, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3123 counties nationwide, 768 counties (24.59% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 508 counties (16.27% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 1421 counties (45.50% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 426 counties (13.64% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that, of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, 1 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial (Berkshire), 12 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate (Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester), and 1 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Low (Nantucket).
Barnstable County has 42.26 cases per 100k, 5.93 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Berkshire County has 55.22 cases per 100k, 4.27 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Bristol County has 15.57 cases per 100k, 3.68 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Dukes County has 23.08 cases per 100k, 3.92 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 25.47 cases per 100k, 3.13 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 17.1 cases per 100k, 2.93 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 26.59 cases per 100k, 3.24 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampshire County has 23.63 cases per 100k, 3.07 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 24.57 cases per 100k, 3.93 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 0.0 cases per 100k, 0.88 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of low
Norfolk County has 19.24 cases per 100k, 3.26 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 18.8 cases per 100k, 3.58 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 18.41 cases per 100k, 3.12 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 20.11 cases per 100k, 4.06 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
The underlying query for this data is available here.
As of April 20, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3221 counties nationwide: 15 counties (0.47%, representing 0.03% of the population) with High community level, 59 counties (1.83%, representing 0.89% of the population) with Medium community level, and 3147 counties (97.70%, representing 99.07% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503) have a COVID Community Level of Low.
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 32.4 cases per 100k (implying 69.01 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 35.22 cases per 100k (implying 44.01 cases in the county), 4.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 12.38 cases per 100k (implying 69.97 cases in the county), 3.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.7 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), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Essex County (population 789034) has 20.4 cases per 100k (implying 160.96 cases in the county), 3.4 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 12.82 cases per 100k (implying 9.00 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 23.59 cases per 100k (implying 110.02 cases in the county), 2.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 13.68 cases per 100k (implying 22.00 cases in the county), 2.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 21.72 cases per 100k (implying 350.06 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 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), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 15.85 cases per 100k (implying 112.02 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 13.62 cases per 100k (implying 70.99 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 13.43 cases per 100k (implying 107.96 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 14.09 cases per 100k (implying 117.03 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 1,251.04 cases statewide.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of April 13, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3213 counties nationwide: 17 counties (0.53%, representing 0.03% of the population) with High community level, 79 counties (2.46%, representing 0.89% of the population) with Medium community level, and 3117 counties (97.01%, representing 99.08% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503) have a COVID Community Level of Low.
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 42.26 cases per 100k (implying 90.01 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 55.22 cases per 100k (implying 68.99 cases in the county), 5.6 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 15.57 cases per 100k (implying 88.00 cases in the county), 3.4 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.2 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), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Essex County (population 789034) has 25.47 cases per 100k (implying 200.97 cases in the county), 3.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 17.1 cases per 100k (implying 12.00 cases in the county), 5.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.6 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 26.59 cases per 100k (implying 124.01 cases in the county), 1.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 23.63 cases per 100k (implying 38.00 cases in the county), 1.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 24.57 cases per 100k (implying 395.99 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 0.0 cases per 100k (implying 0.00 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Low and a community level of Low.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 19.24 cases per 100k (implying 135.98 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 18.8 cases per 100k (implying 97.99 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 18.41 cases per 100k (implying 148.00 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 20.11 cases per 100k (implying 167.04 cases in the county), 5.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.6 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 1,570.99 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.)
The good news is that confirmed deaths, confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and percent-positive are all continuing to drop statewide. The not-so-good news is that tests also continue to drop; today's reported seven-day average of 5,086.4 is the lowest since 5,043.1 were reported on April 3, 2020.
The MWRA wastewater numbers are down from last week on both the north and south sides; however, the south side numbers are actually higher than two weeks ago. I don't have a good feel yet for how changes in wastewater levels affect cases, hospitalizations or deaths, so I'm hesitant to leap to conclusions. But I do note that the wastewater levels are far, far higher today than they were during the summer 2021 low point of the pandemic. The seven-day case average bottommed out at 64.1 cases/day on June 25, 2021 and today's average of 136.9 is just over double that; on the other hand, the MWRA northside average for 6/25/2021 was 20.4 copies/mL and the currently most recent average is 225.4, well over ten times higher. There is a lot more COVID floating around than is showing up in the official case figures.
I'm also hesitant to put too much stock in the current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case counts are down nationwide, but it looks to me as though testing is also way down. Unfortunately, I haven't found any CDC data feed that specifically shows tests per county or state, so I can't confirm that hunch. And I have a bad feeling that, once the national public health emergency ends on May 11, the CDC's data tracking capabilities are going to be significantly changed - and not for the better.
Hopefully, Massachusetts will keep making its data available, at least.
Any good news?
As of 5PM today (Thursday, April 20, 2023), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 15 newly reported confirmed deaths (2 less than last week - down 11.8%) for a total of 22,577 confirmed deaths. There were 13 newly reported probable deaths (2 less than last week - down 13.3%) for a total of 2,024 probable deaths. In total, 28 confirmed and probable new deaths were reported this week (4 less than last week - down 12.5%) for a total of 24,601 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. The state is also reporting 1,242 newly reported confirmed cases (327 less than last week - down 20.8%) for a total of 2,035,770 confirmed cases. There were 291 newly reported probable cases (8 more than last week - up 2.8%) for a total of 202,566 probable cases. In total, 1,533 confirmed and probable new cases were reported this week (319 less than last week - down 17.2%) for a total of 2,238,336 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. There were 41,514 new molecular tests (6,959 less than last week - down 14.4%) for a total of 49,953,939. The seven-day average positivity rate is 3.22%, compared to 3.48% last week. There are currently 273 COVID patients in Massachusetts hospitals (14 less than last week - down 4.9%), 29 COVID patients are in ICUs (2 more than last week - up 7.4%), and 6 COVID patients are intubated (2 less than last week - down 25.0%).
Of the overview trends (formerly the Page 2 "key metrics", the 7-day average number of newly confimed cases is 136.9 (28.3 less than last week - down 17.1%), 113.4% above the lowest observed value of 64.1 on 6/25/2021 and 99.4% below the highest observed value of 23,233.3 on 1/8/2022. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 3.22% (0.26 less than last week - down 7.6%), 945.0% above the lowest observed value of 0.31% on 6/25/2021 and 88.4% below the highest observed value of 27.67% on 4/15/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID patients in hospital is 270.3 (13.1 less than last week - down 4.6%), 220.7% above the lowest observed value of 84.3 on 7/8/2021 and 93.0% below the highest observed value of 3,874.1 on 4/27/2020. The 7-day average number of COVID deaths is 1.3 (0.6 less than last week - down 30.8%), 28.6% above the lowest observed value of 1.0 on 7/11/2021 and 99.3% below the highest observed value of 175.7 on 4/24/2020. The 7-day average number of molecular tests is 5,086.4 (726.4 less than last week - down 12.5%), 9.9% above the lowest observed value of 4,627.4 on 4/1/2020 and 95.4% below the highest observed value of 110,416.0 on 1/8/2022.
(Note that the seven-day averages for cases, percent-positive, hospitalizations and deaths are displayed in the "Overview Trends" section of the state dashboard. The seven-day average for number of molecular tests is not directly shown anywhere on the dashboard, but is included in the raw data. I am including it because low test totals can cause low reported case counts even with significant virus circulating statewide.)
Statewide, hospitals reported 8,692 non-ICU beds, of which 7,819 (90.0%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 244 (2.8%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 629 (7.2%) remained available. Hospitals also reported 1,214 ICU beds, of which 950 (78.3%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 29 (2.4%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 235 (19.4%) remained available. By comparison, hospitals reported last week 8,674 non-ICU beds, of which 7,811 (90.1%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 260 (3.0%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 603 (7.0%) remained available. Hospitals also reported last week 1,200 ICU beds, of which 947 (78.9%) were occupied by non-COVID patients, 27 (2.2%) were occupied by COVID patients, and 226 (18.8%) remained available.
Summarizing the state results, and comparing to earlier dates:
Today (April 20), the 7 day molecular test average was 5,086.4, the 7 day confirmed case average was 136.9, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 1.3, the 7 day hospitalization average was 270.3, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.22%.
One week ago (April 13), the 7 day molecular test average was 5,812.9, the 7 day confirmed case average was 165.1, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 1.9, the 7 day hospitalization average was 283.4, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.48%.
Two weeks ago (April 6), the 7 day molecular test average was 6,411.3, the 7 day confirmed case average was 203.1, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 3.6, the 7 day hospitalization average was 308.9, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.70%.
One year ago (April 20, 2022), the 7 day molecular test average was 36,077.4, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,446.9, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 3.6, the 7 day hospitalization average was 337.6, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 4.34%.
Two years ago (April 20, 2021), the 7 day molecular test average was 65,812.6, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,181.9, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 7.1, the 7 day hospitalization average was 705.1, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 2.11%.
The ratio of tests per week between last year and the current date is 7.09; if we were still testing as frequently as then, we would be seeing approximately 970.7 cases per day. Similarly, the ratio of tests per week between two years ago and the current date is 12.94; if we were still testing as frequently as then, we would be seeing approximately 1,770.8 cases per day.
The raw data file for the Massachusetts dashboard is available here.
The Commonwealth is also reporting that,as of Thursday, April 13, 2023 (the most recent sample date in the state's wastewater report), the seven-day average level of COVID-19 in the wastewater from the north side of the Metropolitan Water Resources Authority (MWRA) sewershed was 225.4 copies per milliliter (78.1 less than one week prior - down 25.7%), 1,746.4% above the lowest observed value of 12.2 on 6/28/2020 and 97.4% above the highest observed value of 8,749.2 on 1/5/2022. By comparison, on the north side there were 275.5 copies/mL two weeks ago, 502.6 copies/mL one year ago, and 272.3 copies/mL two years ago.
The seven-day average level of COVID-19 in the wastewater from the south side of the MWRA sewershed was 254.0 copies per milliliter (31.7 less than one week prior - down 11.1%), 2,397.7% above the lowest observed value of 10.2 on 6/28/2021 and 97.8% above the highest observed value of 11,740.1 on 1/3/2022. By comparison, on the south side there were 235.2 copies/mL two weeks ago, 520.7 copies/mL one year ago, and 355.1 copies/mL two years ago.
The raw data file for the Massachusetts wastewater report is available here.
As of April 20, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 1160 new deaths and 94142 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 28 new deaths and 1533 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of April 13, 2023, the CDC reported a total of 1333 new deaths and 101598 new cases from 60 states and territories nationwide.
For Massachusetts, the CDC reported 32 new deaths and 1852 new cases.
The underlying query is available here.
As of April 20, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3123 counties nationwide, 671 counties (21.49% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 468 counties (14.99% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 1393 counties (44.60% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 591 counties (18.92% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate.
Barnstable County has 32.4 cases per 100k, 5.06 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Berkshire County has 35.22 cases per 100k, 4.81 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Bristol County has 12.38 cases per 100k, 3.74 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Dukes County has 23.08 cases per 100k, 1.11 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 20.4 cases per 100k, 3.34 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 12.82 cases per 100k, 2.51 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 23.59 cases per 100k, 3.79 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampshire County has 13.68 cases per 100k, 3.15 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 21.72 cases per 100k, 3.86 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 35.09 cases per 100k, 1.54 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Norfolk County has 15.85 cases per 100k, 3.29 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 13.62 cases per 100k, 4.2 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 13.43 cases per 100k, 2.69 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 14.09 cases per 100k, 3.46 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 April 13, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, of 3123 counties nationwide, 768 counties (24.59% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of High, 508 counties (16.27% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial, 1421 counties (45.50% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate, and 426 counties (13.64% of total) have a Community Transmission Level of Low. The CDC also reported that, of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, 1 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Substantial (Berkshire), 12 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Moderate (Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester), and 1 counties have a Community Transmission Level of Low (Nantucket).
Barnstable County has 42.26 cases per 100k, 5.93 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Berkshire County has 55.22 cases per 100k, 4.27 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of substantial
Bristol County has 15.57 cases per 100k, 3.68 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Dukes County has 23.08 cases per 100k, 3.92 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Essex County has 25.47 cases per 100k, 3.13 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Franklin County has 17.1 cases per 100k, 2.93 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampden County has 26.59 cases per 100k, 3.24 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Hampshire County has 23.63 cases per 100k, 3.07 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Middlesex County has 24.57 cases per 100k, 3.93 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Nantucket County has 0.0 cases per 100k, 0.88 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of low
Norfolk County has 19.24 cases per 100k, 3.26 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Plymouth County has 18.8 cases per 100k, 3.58 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Suffolk County has 18.41 cases per 100k, 3.12 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
Worcester County has 20.11 cases per 100k, 4.06 percent positive, and a Community Transmission level of moderate
The underlying query for this data is available here.
As of April 20, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3221 counties nationwide: 15 counties (0.47%, representing 0.03% of the population) with High community level, 59 counties (1.83%, representing 0.89% of the population) with Medium community level, and 3147 counties (97.70%, representing 99.07% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503) have a COVID Community Level of Low.
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 32.4 cases per 100k (implying 69.01 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 35.22 cases per 100k (implying 44.01 cases in the county), 4.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 12.38 cases per 100k (implying 69.97 cases in the county), 3.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.7 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), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Essex County (population 789034) has 20.4 cases per 100k (implying 160.96 cases in the county), 3.4 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 12.82 cases per 100k (implying 9.00 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 23.59 cases per 100k (implying 110.02 cases in the county), 2.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 13.68 cases per 100k (implying 22.00 cases in the county), 2.1 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 21.72 cases per 100k (implying 350.06 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 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), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 15.85 cases per 100k (implying 112.02 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 13.62 cases per 100k (implying 70.99 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 13.43 cases per 100k (implying 107.96 cases in the county), 5.0 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.3 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 14.09 cases per 100k (implying 117.03 cases in the county), 4.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.9 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 1,251.04 cases statewide.
The underlying query for this data is available here.
This compares to the previous week:
As of April 13, 2023, the CDC reported COVID Community Levels for 3213 counties nationwide: 17 counties (0.53%, representing 0.03% of the population) with High community level, 79 counties (2.46%, representing 0.89% of the population) with Medium community level, and 3117 counties (97.01%, representing 99.08% of the population) with Low community level. The CDC also reported that all 14 counties in Massachusetts (population 6892503) have a COVID Community Level of Low.
Barnstable County (population 212990) has 42.26 cases per 100k (implying 90.01 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Berkshire County (population 124944) has 55.22 cases per 100k (implying 68.99 cases in the county), 5.6 hospitalizations per 100k and 2.0 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Substantial and a community level of Low.
Bristol County (population 565217) has 15.57 cases per 100k (implying 88.00 cases in the county), 3.4 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.2 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), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Essex County (population 789034) has 25.47 cases per 100k (implying 200.97 cases in the county), 3.2 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.2 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Franklin County (population 70180) has 17.1 cases per 100k (implying 12.00 cases in the county), 5.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.6 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampden County (population 466372) has 26.59 cases per 100k (implying 124.01 cases in the county), 1.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Hampshire County (population 160830) has 23.63 cases per 100k (implying 38.00 cases in the county), 1.3 hospitalizations per 100k and 3.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Middlesex County (population 1611699) has 24.57 cases per 100k (implying 395.99 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Nantucket County (population 11399) has 0.0 cases per 100k (implying 0.00 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Low and a community level of Low.
Norfolk County (population 706775) has 19.24 cases per 100k (implying 135.98 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Plymouth County (population 521202) has 18.8 cases per 100k (implying 97.99 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Suffolk County (population 803907) has 18.41 cases per 100k (implying 148.00 cases in the county), 5.7 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.5 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
Worcester County (population 830622) has 20.11 cases per 100k (implying 167.04 cases in the county), 5.9 hospitalizations per 100k and 1.6 COVID bed utilization, for a community transmission level of Moderate and a community level of Low.
The CDC community level data implies a total of 1,570.99 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.)
The good news is that confirmed deaths, confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and percent-positive are all continuing to drop statewide. The not-so-good news is that tests also continue to drop; today's reported seven-day average of 5,086.4 is the lowest since 5,043.1 were reported on April 3, 2020.
The MWRA wastewater numbers are down from last week on both the north and south sides; however, the south side numbers are actually higher than two weeks ago. I don't have a good feel yet for how changes in wastewater levels affect cases, hospitalizations or deaths, so I'm hesitant to leap to conclusions. But I do note that the wastewater levels are far, far higher today than they were during the summer 2021 low point of the pandemic. The seven-day case average bottommed out at 64.1 cases/day on June 25, 2021 and today's average of 136.9 is just over double that; on the other hand, the MWRA northside average for 6/25/2021 was 20.4 copies/mL and the currently most recent average is 225.4, well over ten times higher. There is a lot more COVID floating around than is showing up in the official case figures.
I'm also hesitant to put too much stock in the current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case counts are down nationwide, but it looks to me as though testing is also way down. Unfortunately, I haven't found any CDC data feed that specifically shows tests per county or state, so I can't confirm that hunch. And I have a bad feeling that, once the national public health emergency ends on May 11, the CDC's data tracking capabilities are going to be significantly changed - and not for the better.
Hopefully, Massachusetts will keep making its data available, at least.