Last week the cumulative COVID-19 positive test rate in Eastie as well as the weekly positive test rate increased slightly.
According to the latest data released by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Eastie residents testing positive for COVID last week increased 4.1 percent and the weekly positive test rate increased 9.7 percent.
Of the 29,855 Eastie residents tested for COVID, 17.4 percent overall were found to be positive for the virus, a 4.1 percent increase from the 16.7 percent reported two Fridays ago.
Last week, 2,591 Eastie residents were tested and 11.3 percent were positive–a 9.7 percent decrease from the 10.3 that tested positive two Fridays ago.
Citywide 33,903 residents were tested and 8.9 percent were COVID positive–a 27 percent increase from the 7 percent testing positive two weeks ago.
“The average number of positive tests each day for Boston residents was 413,” said Mayor Martin Walsh at a press briefing Tuesday. “That’s up slightly compared to the week before. Our current community positivity rate was 8.8 percent. That is up from the week before. Our case numbers are concerning, and our hospital numbers are higher than we’d like.”
The Mayor said that 93% of adult Non-Surge ICU Beds are occupied, the highest Boston has seen in a long time. The Mayor said that he and his team are in constant contact with local hospitals, and that he needs everyone to do their part.
“This is one of the most serious points of the pandemic so far and if numbers don’t improve, we’ll have to look at more restrictions. So everyone needs to wear a mask, avoid crowds, and stay six feet apart,” said Walsh. “Every time you do these things, you could be saving a life. We will beat this thing, if everyone buckles down.”
The Mayor also discussed the need for personal safety while indoor dining. He said that the City of Boston continues to monitor the data closely and limit indoor dining capacity to levels the public health experts say are safe.
He thanked local restaurants for following safety protocols, saying that they have been very cooperative. The City continues to support them with small business relief funds, technical support, and outdoor dining programs, and making it easier for them to offer safe pickup and delivery.
But, the Mayor said, he needs patrons to do their part, too.
The Mayor said local contact tracing efforts make it clear that even though indoor dining itself isn’t a high risk factor, too many people are going out to dinner with people outside their bubbles, increasing the risk for COVID-19 transmission. He said that sometimes they see other people they know and “table hop,” which has to stop.
“We can keep local restaurants open… but only if people follow the public health guidance,” said Walsh. “So, if you’re indoor dining: only go with people in your bubble; keep your mask on when you’re not eating; and don’t mingle with other tables. It’s not just about your safety… It’s about our hardworking waiters and waitresses, hosts, and busboys who are working hard so that you can have a good time. Be respectful and help us spread the word about this.”
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 1,104.9 cases per 10,000 residents to 1,172.6 cases per 10,000 residents. The citywide average is 641.5 cases per 10,000 residents.
An additional 318 Eastie residents contracted the virus and there are now 5,503 confirmed cases, up from the 5,185 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 9.5 percent percent last week and went from 41,847cases to 45,844 confirmed cases in a week. Thirty-two more Boston residents died from the virus and there are now 1,052 total deaths in the city from COVID.