Public health officials in Boston issued a stern warning of COVID-19 on Friday ahead of this weekend’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, with rising levels of coronavirus and flu expected to continue into the new year.
A warning from the Boston Public Health Commission was issued when local school administrators asked students and staff to wear masks when they returned from winter break next week. As faced, the Commission said: Hundreds of thousands are expected to flock to the city This weekend is the First Night event.
“Due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), viral wastewater concentrations and hospitalizations have increased significantly, with influenza cases and hospitalizations continuing to be high. We expect this trend to continue through January. ,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the city’s public health director. “Our hospitals are already under great strain. We strongly encourage people to wear masks indoors and get vaccinated. can support.”
There were 296 new virus-related hospitalizations as of Thursday, up 23% in the past week and up 44% in the past two weeks. The total number of hospitalized and new hospitalized patients is the highest the city has seen since February 2021, according to the commission.
Concentrations of COVID-19 in local wastewater have also increased by 61% over the past week and 78% over the past two weeks.It comes as a state public health agency reported on thursday 8,327 new cases, 361 COVID-related hospitalizations and 113 virus-related deaths in the past week.
At the same time, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper sent a letter Family members will be notified that the district will be adopting “temporary masking” between January 4th and January 13th, but she stressed that the new policy is not mandatory.
“This is not an obligation, it is our demand and expectation of our students and staff. This is in effect during classes on school premises and on the school bus,” she said, adding, “If they refuse No one will be reprimanded or sent home if they do so,” he added. “
Skipper said previous impacts of critical staffing shortages, student absenteeism and loss of “critical study time” have led to the school’s decision to change policy.
Students are also asked to take a COVID-19 test before school starts on the evening of January 3rd or the morning of January 4th. Staff were asked to take a test before returning to work on January 3.
Skipper said Boston’s schools experienced the biggest spike in COVID-19 at this time last year, resulting in absenteeism and making it “nearly impossible” to keep all schools open. became. Skipper said he averaged 1,200 staff members a day and he said 8,500 students were absent last January.
The new policy will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, flu and RSV, she said.
“The data show that these diseases disproportionately affect Black and Brown families in our city,” Skipper said in a statement. really relies on to keep everyone safe, to ensure that everyone is working together to follow temporary protocols and collectively play their part in reducing the risk of student and staff exposure. I will do my best.”
Penetration of the new Omicron bivalent booster remains low, according to city health officials. While 81% of the population is fully vaccinated, only 13% have received new boosters, leaving them “vulnerable to breakthrough infections,” the commission said.
“The new boosters are essential to maintaining broad levels of protection against the COVID-19 virus and its variants,” the official said in a statement. “[The commission] We strongly recommend everyone over the age of 6 months to get a bivalent booster as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection and serious illness. “
And as Boston grapples with rising COVID numbers, it’s also dealing with flu rates, the commission said. Since Oct. 1, his 4,296 flu cases have been confirmed, including his 739 from Dec. 17 through Dec. 23.
According to the Boston Public Health Commission, flu peak levels were “much earlier than normal” and “significantly” higher than last year. According to state data, only 38% of her state residents received a flu shot this year.
“The 2022 flu season is of particular concern so far,” the committee said.
