Massachusetts reports 3,720 new coronavirus cases, breakthrough case count hits record high

State health officials on Tuesday reported 3,720 new coronavirus cases, while total COVID hospitalizations in the Bay State continued to spike as the state reported the most daily deaths since March.

The state Department of Public Health also reported a massive jump of 11,321 breakthrough cases during the last week, a record high for the state and a 71% increase over the previous week’s tally of 6,610 breakthrough infections.

The state reported 51 new COVID deaths, bringing Massachusetts’ total recorded death toll to 19,567. The 51 deaths was the highest daily count since March. The seven-day average of deaths is now 17.1. The record-low daily death average was 1.3 in mid-July.

The state’s positive test average has been rising, now standing at 4.86% — way up from 1.67% a few weeks ago. The daily positive test rate for Tuesday’s report was 4.83%.

There are now 1,151 COVID patients in the state, a daily jump of 33 patients. Hospitalizations have been spiking in recent weeks, reflecting a 129% jump from 502 patients a few weeks ago.

The state reported that 239 patients are in intensive care units, and 126 patients are currently intubated.

Of the 1,151 total hospitalizations, 407 patients are fully vaccinated — or about 35%. It’s the first time the state has reported more than 400 breakthrough hospitalizations on one day. Those who are unvaccinated are at a much higher risk for a severe case.