The COVID 19 virus continues to spread across East Boston with nearly 4 out of every 10 residents tested for the virus last week turning out to be positive. Deaths from the virus are also rising at an alarming rate citywide as Boston hospitals deal with the latest surge.
Last week, 3,239 Eastie residents were tested for the virus last week and 37.9 percent were positive–this was a 76 percent increase from the 21.5 percent that tested positive as reported by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) on January 3. The weekly positive test rate has now jumped 268 percent in Eastie since December 27.
One thousand two hundred twenty seven additional Eastie residents contracted the virus between January 3 and January 10 there are now 11,354 confirmed cases in the neighborhood since the start of the pandemic.
The new cases in Eastie made up 5 percent of all new cases in Boston last week.
The citywide weekly positive test rate also increased over 30 percent last week. According to the BPHC 42,254 residents were tested and 31.9 percent were COVID positive–this was a 75 percent increase from the 18.2 percent that reportedly tested positive for the week ending on January 3. The weekly positive test rate has increased 239 percent in Boston since December 27.
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 23 percent last week and went from 108,336 133,501 cases to confirmed cases in a week. There were 25 additional deaths in Boston from the virus in the past week and the total COVID deaths is now at 1,535. Deaths were up 257 percent last week when compared to the 7 deaths that occured in the city between December 27 and January 3.
A reminder, beginning on January 15 both patrons and employees of indoor venues in Boston–including indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment establishments–will be required to show proof of vaccination.