Last week the cumulative COVID-19 positive test rate in Eastie as well as the weekly positive test rate decreased for the first time in weeks.
According to the latest data released by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), residents testing positive for COVID last week decreased 43.5 and the weekly positive test rate dropped 19.5 percent.
Of the 29,855 Eastie residents tested for COVID, 16.7 percent overall were found to be positive for the virus, a 43.5 percent increase from the 29.6 percent reported two Fridays ago.
Last week 2,406 Eastie residents were tested and 10.3 percent were positive–a 19.5 percent decrease from the 12.8 that tested positive two Fridays ago.
Citywide 34,463 residents were tested and seven percent were COVID positive–a 4 percent decrease from the 7.3 percent testing positive two weeks ago.
At his daily press briefing last week, Mayor Martin Walsh noted that on Tuesday, December 29, the City of Boston surpassed 1,000 deaths from COVID. He said that every number represents a person, with family and friends who are grieving their loss and missing them every day.
“My prayers are with everyone who has lost a loved one or continues to suffer from this terrible virus,” said Walsh.
He acknowledged residents are all tired of living with the virus, and that it’s tempting to let one’s guard down but the virus is still with us, and will be in 2021.
“In Boston, we remain concerned about an increase in COVID activity following the holidays,” said Walsh. “Our hospital numbers are higher than we’d like them to be. We have more people hospitalized right now due to COVID than we’ve had since early June. We all have a role to play in protecting each other, especially our most vulnerable, and helping to prevent further loss. That means staying vigilant — and continuing to follow the public health guidance.”
Walsh said the city and public health officials continue to encourage everyone to get tested — especially if you were traveling during the holidays.
“There are more than 30 testing sites in the City of Boston, including mobile testing sites which are free and open to all, regardless of symptoms,” said Walsh. “To learn more about these, or any of our testing sites, go to boston.gov/coronavirus or call 3-1-1.”
Walsh added that the city continues to be in communication with healthcare partners as the federal and state governments work on distribution of the COVID vaccine.
“This week, Boston EMT’s began getting vaccinated,” said Walsh. “Since day one of this crisis, they have been on the frontlines, risking their own health for the health and wellbeing of all Boston residents. Our EMS providers have encountered more than 3,500 COVID-positive patients in Boston.”
He also said that vaccine distribution to long term care facilities across Boston, like the Don Orione Nursing Home, began this week and this will help protect Boston’s most vulnerable people, in the city’s most vulnerable settings.
You can visit the State’s website at Mass.gov to see the full schedule of when vaccines will be available.
“I encourage everyone to get the vaccine, when your time comes,” said Walsh. “It’s safe, it’s free, and it’s the best way you can protect yourself and those around you. It’s how we can help get life back to normal sooner — and get back to doing all the things and seeing the people we love.”
Eastie’s infection rate rose by 6.1 percent according to the data released by the BPHC last Friday. Eastie’s COVID infection rate went from 1,040.5 cases per 10,000 residents to 1,104.9 cases per 10,000 residents. The citywide average is 593.5 cases per 10,000 residents.
An additional 302 Eastie residents contracted the virus and there are now 5,185 confirmed cases, up from the 4,883 reported two weeks ago.
The statistics released by the BPHC as part of its weekly COVID19 report breaks down the number of cases and infection rates in each neighborhood. It also breaks down the number of cases by age, gender and race. Citywide positive cases of coronavirus increased 11.9 percent percent last week and went from 37,366 cases to 41,847confirmed cases in a week. Thirty-two more Boston residents died from the virus and there are now 1,020 total deaths in the city from COVID.