“Respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus will continue to be a challenge this holiday season,” Boston Public Health Commissioner Dr. Bisola Ojikutu said in a statement. Stated. “We are distributing test kits and other resources to ensure our residents have the tools they need to stay safe and healthy.”
By measuring the number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies per milliliter of wastewater, authorities can monitor the spread of the virus in a given community. The Massachusetts Department of Water Resources’ southern region reached its seven-day average count. On November 16th, it was 596 copies per milliliter.In the northern section of the MWRA, the seven-day average number ranged from 263 to 433.
Starting Monday, every household in the U.S. will be able to receive four additional free at-home tests from the federal government, for a total of eight tests per household. www.covid.gov/tests.
A health board official said, “Residents should stock up on their own test kits so that they can be tested at home throughout the holiday season, and do their best to get tested before attending gatherings if they feel unwell.” We should do our best.”
He also urged people to get up-to-date with vaccinations.
“Staying up-to-date on COVID-19, RSV, and influenza vaccines is an important strategy to reduce your risk of severe illness and hospitalization, especially as temperatures get colder and you can spend time indoors with loved ones. The risk of infectious diseases increases during the holiday season, when people spend more time indoors,” BPHC officials said in a statement. There is also the possibility of transmitting the disease.”
Epidemiologist Bill Hanage said: Associate Professor Doctors at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said in a statement that the recent surge is significant.
“Recently, we have seen a significant rise in coronavirus indicators in sewage in both the southern and northern systems,” said Hanage, who is also deputy director of Chan School’s Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics. “Although the wastewater data is very noisy, the fact that it is seen in both data suggests that it reflects an actual outbreak of infection. However, recently The measurements have returned to normal values.
That said, Hanage continued, “Since Thanksgiving 2020, wastewater and case numbers have continued to spike after Thanksgiving every year. We expect the same thing to happen this year as the virus infiltrates our networks. Thanks to vaccinations, we won’t come close to the dire consequences we experienced in the past, but older people will still be exposed to other respiratory They are at risk from COVID-19 as well as from organ infections.”
“Rapid antigen tests can be used to avoid having unwelcome guests at Thanksgiving dinner,” Hanage said. He is also a scientific advisor to Cambridge’s Biobot, which tracks wastewater data. “And of course, if you’re feeling unwell and have symptoms of a respiratory infection, don’t tell your grandparents.
COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are available at Bruce C. Bolling City Hall in Roxbury and Boston City Hall. The Bowling Building is open Thursday through Saturday from 12pm to 6pm. We will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th and will return to normal business hours starting November 25th.
City Hall is open Mondays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesday, Nov. 22, we will be open only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular business hours will return on Monday.
Health officials said walk-ins are welcome and proof of insurance is not required. However, individuals may be asked about their insurance status for record-keeping purposes.
Travis Andersen of Globe Staff contributed to this report.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at emily.sweeney@globe.com.follow her her @emilysweeney And also on Instagram @emilysweeney22.