After dropping for several weeks in a row, East Boston’s weekly COVID cases increased slightly according to the latest data released by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC).
Last week, 1,497 Eastie residents were tested for the virus last week and 2.3 percent were positive–a 15 percent increase from the two percent reported by the BPHC two weeks ago
Of the 41,404 Eastie residents tested for COVID since the pandemic began, 18.7 percent overall were found to be positive for the virus. This was a decrease of a half a percentage point from the 18.8 percent reported by the BPHC two weeks ago.
Citywide, the weekly positive test rate continues to decrease. According to the BPHC 17,329 residents were tested and 1.6 percent were COVID positive–this was a 24 percent decrease from the 2.1 percent positive test rate reported by the BPHC two weeks ago.
Last week, the Baker-Polito Administration announced plans to close the Commonwealth’s vaccine pre registration system by the end of May. The COVID-19 Vaccine Finder at vaxfinder.mass.gov will remain available, with over 900 locations listed across the state.
The Administration also announced the expansion of the state’s Homebound Vaccination Program to support in-home vaccinations for all eligible residents who are unable to get to a vaccine site.
The pre registration form at vaccinesignup.mass.gov closed to new submissions on Tuesday. According to the administration all remaining people still in the system will be contacted with an opportunity to book appointments before closing out the system on May 31. All remaining people who pre registered will be given an opportunity to book before the system closes.
The state’s Homebound Vaccination Program began on Monday, May 24 and the Administration plans to expand this program to support in-home vaccinations for all eligible residents who are unable to get to a vaccine site. The Administration launched the Homebound Vaccination on March 29 for individuals who met specific federal criteria, such as requiring significant support to leave the home for a medical appointment. Any individual who has trouble getting to a vaccine site is eligible for the homebound program.
Eastie’s COVID infection rate increased by only 0.42 percent last week and went from 1,638.7 cases per 10,000 residents to 1,645.6 cases per 10,000 residents.
An additional 34 Eastie residents contracted the virus and there are now 7,724 confirmed cases, up from the 7,690 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 less than a half percent last week and went from 70,297 cases to 70,529 confirmed cases in a week. Nine additional Boston residents died from the virus last week and there are now 1,373 total deaths in the city from COVID.