Over the last two weeks, Massachusetts reported another 24,036 COVID-19 cases, down from the 26,717 confirmed over the prior 14 days, according to the latest Department of Public Health community-level data.<\/p>\n
The latest totals are based on data analyzed between April 4 and April 17.<\/p>\n
Percent positivity also declined over the last two weeks, to 2.3% from the 2.48% recorded during the last 14-day update.<\/p>\n
If you are having trouble viewing this chart, click here.<\/p>\n
And as of data available Thursday, there are now 48 communities at high risk for COVID spread. Last week, the number of cities and towns at high risk was 59.<\/p>\n
Officials began releasing the number of confirmed cases among children and teenagers several weeks ago. On Wednesday, 1,223 cases were confirmed in children younger than four over the last 14 days, down from 1,235 reported last week. Officials reported 1,400 infections in children between the ages of 5 and 9, down from 1,469 since the last update.<\/p>\n
And 1,696 infections were confirmed in children between the ages of 10 and 14, which is down from 1,816 reported on April 14, according Wednesdays data. There were also 2,481 teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 infected with COVID over the last two weeks, down from 2,696 since the last update.<\/p>\n
This week, 5,046 cases were confirmed among 20-somethings, down from the 5,942 reported last week.<\/p>\n
While the distribution of new cases varies week-to-week, the slight reduction in cases among younger age groups follows what for several weeks now has been overall decline in COVID activity statewide. Hospitalizations, active infections and percent positivity have declined over the past seven days after several weeks of heightened concern over whether vaccinations are keeping pace with the rising numbers.<\/p>\n
The decline in infections also suggests progress is being made in vaccinating elderly populations, which have seen fewer and fewer new infections and far fewer deaths in recent days. As of Thursday, nearly 2.2 million Massachusetts residents are fully vaccinated, and 5.4 million doses have been administered to date.<\/p>\n
State health officials confirmed another 1,431 new COVID-19 cases and 17 virus-related fatalities on Thursday. On Monday, Massachusetts opened COVID vaccinations to all residents ages 16 and older.<\/p>\n
Here is a breakdown of the cities and towns at high risk by county:<\/p>\n
Barnstable County: Brewster, Dennis, Harwich, Yarmouth<\/p>\n
Berkshire County: Adams<\/p>\n
Bristol County: Berkley, Fall River, Freetown, New Bedford, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Swansea, Taunton, Westport<\/p>\n
Dukes County: Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury<\/p>\n
Essex County: Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn, Methuen, Peabody<\/p>\n
Hampden County: Chicopee, Hampden, Holyoke, Ludlow, Palmer, Southwick, Springfield<\/p>\n
Middlesex County: Ayer, Dracut, Lowell, Townsend<\/p>\n
Nantucket County: Nantucket<\/p>\n
Norfolk County: Bellingham, Plainville<\/p>\n
Plymouth County: Brockton, Carver, Plymouth, Wareham, West Bridgewater<\/p>\n
Suffolk County: Revere<\/p>\n
Worcester County: Sterling, Sutton, Templeton, Upton, West Boylston, Winchendon<\/p>\n
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See how many coronavirus cases are in your Massachusetts city or town as of April 22 - MassLive.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Over the last two weeks, Massachusetts reported another 24,036 COVID-19 cases, down from the 26,717 confirmed over the prior 14 days, according to the latest Department of Public Health community-level data. The latest totals are based on data analyzed between April 4 and April 17. Continue reading