Massachusetts sees multiple days of record COVID-19 cases reported in a single day

For three consecutive days last week, Massachusetts had the highest number of COVID-19 cases reported in single days since the start of the pandemic. 

On Wednesday, Massachusetts reported 7,817 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and on Thursday, the state reported 9,042 confirmed cases. On Friday, Massachusetts reported 10,040 confirmed COVID-19 cases, marking the first time the state has reported more than 10,000 new cases in a single day. 

The rise in cases in Massachusetts comes amid a general increase in COVID-19 cases in the US, fueled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant. One model from researchers from the University of Washington predicted a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and Massachusetts, though they said it is less likely to result in severe outcomes like hospitalizations and deaths than the Delta variant. 

In order to stem the spread of COVID-19 and relieve the pressure on hospitals, two Boston researchers are calling on the United States to implement a "circuit breaker" system that would urge local officials to consider a temporary pause in activities like indoor dining or large gatherings.