How Does Massachusetts COVID-19 Rate Compare To Other States?

According Berkshire Eagle reporter Heather Bellow the rate of total COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts is comparable to that of a number of other states across the U.S., according data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the agency's map showed Massachusetts with 7,844 cumulative coronavirus cases per 100,000 population since Jan. 21, 2020.

Missouri's rate is 7,693; Colorado, 7,196; New York, 7,911; North Carolina 7,860; Florida 8,370; and Texas, 8,842. California, which has the highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and whose medical system is buckling, has a case rate of 8,621.

Most states are easing restrictions to varying degrees as cases in the U.S. decline, though counts are still higher than "the first two peaks in the pandemic," according to the CDC.

Since Jan. 8, 2021, daily cases have declined by 69 percent and the seven-day average of daily cases fell by 23 percent, the agency says on its website. Though it "provides an encouraging sign of recent progress," the CDC urges continued vigilance with precautions like mask wearing.

Heartened by Massachusetts data, Gov. Charlie Baker recently rolled back the lockdowns somewhat, increasing capacity in restaurants and ending the evening curfew.