18 breakthrough deaths were reported last week
More than 4,000 fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts tested positive for the coronavirus last week, a daily average of more than 600 people as breakthrough infections continue to rise each week amid the delta variant.
The rate of breakthrough infections week-over-week starting five weeks ago surged 64%, then the following week went up 20%, the next week jumped by 25%, the subsequent week increased by 20%, and in the last week climbed by 23%.
Breakthrough cases in Massachusetts are making up about one-third of the state’s overall cases. People who are unvaccinated are at a higher risk for infection and a severe case.
Overall, 23,858 fully vaxxed people have tested positive for the virus, according to new data from the state Department of Public Health on Tuesday. That’s 0.53% of the more than 4.5 million fully vaxxed people in Massachusetts.
The nearly 24,000 overall cases is an increase of 4,415 breakthrough infections from last week — or a daily average of 631 fully vaccinated people testing positive.
Last Tuesday’s report showed a rise of 3,704 breakthrough cases, a daily average of 529 fully vaxxed people testing positive.
The previous week was a jump of 3,098 infections, a daily average of 443 fully vaxxed people.
The prior week was a jump of 2,672 infections, a daily average of 382 infections.
The week before that was a rise of 2,232 breakthroughs, a daily average of 319 infections.
Breakthrough hospitalizations account for about 25% of current COVID-19 hospitalizations. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case and hospitalization.
There have been 762 hospitalizations among fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts, which is 0.02% of those who are fully vaxxed.
The 762 total patients is a one-week increase of 111 fully vaxxed patients. The previous weekly increase was 80 fully vaxxed patients.
The state has reported 162 breakthrough deaths, or 0.004% of those who are fully vaxxed. That’s a one-week increase of 18 deaths. The previous weekly increase was 13 deaths, and the week before that was seven deaths.