5,300 Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases Recorded In Massachusetts Over 1 Week

Massachusetts health officials have recorded more than 5,300 breakthrough COVID-19 infections among its fully vaccinated residents the past week, state data shows.

Between Nov. 6 and Nov. 13, Massachusetts has recorded 5,313 new COVID-19 cases among the fully vaccinated, with at least 140 being admitted to hospitals. The state has now reported a total of 64,120 breakthrough infections and 2,080 breakthrough hospitalizations since vaccination programs began on Dec. 14, 2020.

The total number of breakthrough cases and hospitalizations represent 1.3% and 0.04% of the state’s fully vaccinated individuals, according to the latest COVID-19 data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Over the same period, the number of COVID-related deaths among the fully vaccinated also increased by 41, bringing the total number of breakthrough deaths in Massachusetts to 509. The number represents 0.01% of the state’s inoculated population.

The report did not indicate how many of the vaccinated people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 had underlying medical conditions. However, the report noted that the numbers “may be undercounted due to discrepancies” in records.

As of Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has fully vaccinated 4,816,593 people and administered booster doses to 832,629 individuals, according to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine report.

The state has fully vaccinated 81% of individuals aged 12 and older and 91% of people aged 65 and older. Among residents in the 12-and-older age group, 94% have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and among the 65-and-older age group, 99% have received at least one shot.

Overall, Massachusetts has fully vaccinated 70% of its entire population and administered at least one dose to 83% of its population, analysis from The New York Times showed.

Despite the high vaccination rate, several communities in the state with more than 20,000 people are still below the 60% threshold. The communities include New Bedford, Fall River, Springfield, Brockton, Holyoke, Lawrence and Worcester, the Massachusetts Municipality Vaccination Data showed.

As of Wednesday, Massachusetts has recorded a total of 823,800 COVID-19 cases and 18,826 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. The state has a rolling seven-day average of 2.84% positivity rate.