20,247 Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases Reported In Massachusetts, Up 45% In 1 Week

Health officials in Massachusetts on Tuesday reported more than 20,000 new COVID-19 infections among the fully vaccinated over the past week amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Over the past week, the state recorded 20,247 new breakthrough COVID-19 cases, up by 45% from the figures reported last week, which saw 13,919 new infections among the vaccinated population.

Massachusetts has now reported a total of 134,565 breakthrough infections, representing 2.7% of the state’s inoculated population.

The new report also reported an additional 70 breakthrough deaths over the past week, bringing the death toll among the vaccinated to 854. The figure represents 0.02% of fully vaccinated people, according to an analysis of state data by NBC Boston.

It is unclear how many of the vaccinated people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 had underlying medical conditions. The state also noted that the numbers may be “undercounted due to discrepancies” in records.

But while the number of breakthrough cases is increasing, health experts in the state still urge people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. They cited a study released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that found that 97% of breakthrough cases in the state did not lead to severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths.

The study also found that no one under the age of 30 died of a COVID-19 infection if they had been fully vaccinated. Among inoculated residents under the age of 60, only 0.1% ended in death. For people over 60, only 3% resulted in death.

Experts are also urging vaccinated people to get a booster shot, citing the study’s findings that said boosted people were 31 times less likely to become infected with COVID-19 than unvaccinated people.

In comparison, people who have only received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine or two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were five times less likely to get infected with the novel coronavirus.

Massachusetts has been reporting an increasing number of cases amid the spread of the Omicron variant. The state’s seven-day average of positive tests rose to 11.08% Tuesday from 9.49% Monday. The positivity rate is the highest recorded since May 19, 2020, according to data from the state’s health department.