After leveling off two weeks ago, the COVID-19 positive test rate in Charlestown has once again spiked according to the latest data released by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC).
Of the 7,757 Charlestown residents tested for the virus 7.8 percent were found to be positive by last Friday. This was an increase of 69 percent from the 4.6 percent that tested positive two Fridays ago. The citywide positive test rate average was 7.1 percent–a 9 percent decrease from the 7.8 percent that tested positive two weeks ago.
Earlier last month, only 1.7 percent of Charlestown residents were testing positive for the virus but that number jumped dramatically as cases continue to spike in the city.
The data shows that overall since the pandemic began 4.2 percent of Charlestown residents tested were found to be COVID positive.
The COVID-19 infection in Charlestown increased 10 percent last week but still remains below the citywide average.
According to the latest BPHC data released last Friday the neighborhood’s COVID infection rate went from 149.3 cases per 10,000 residents to 164.8 cases per 10,000 residents. The citywide average is 317.8 cases per 10,000 residents.
Over the week 49 more Charlestown residents became infected with the virus bringing the total number of cases in the neighborhood to 320.
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 6.8 percent last week and went from 21,206 cases to 22,646 cases.
Thirteen more Boston residents died from the virus and there are now 884 total deaths in the city from COVID.
At his daily press briefing last week Mayor Martin Walsh reiterated that the citywide positive test rate fell to 7.1 percent for the week ending October 31, with both more tests taken and fewer positive results. He said that’s a good sign, but the city and residents still have a lot of work to do.
“We are still averaging more than 120 new cases per day and, in neighborhood data, East Boston, Dorchester, and Mattapan remain at or above 10 [percent positivity.”
Since launching the city’s “Get the Test Boston” campaign Walsh said the city saw an 8 percent increase in the number of people being tested last week. He said that continuing to increase the number of people getting tested will make a big difference, moving forward, in the city’s ability to track and contain the virus. He thanked everyone who got tested for COVID-19 recently and encouraged others to do so.
“Our mobile testing sites are free and open to all, regardless of symptoms,” said Walsh. “Since we launched them in May, our mobile testing teams have administered nearly 14,000 tests across Roxbury, Allston, South Boston, Mattapan, East Boston, and Dorchester. This week and next week, they are in East Boston at Central Square Park and in Mattapan at Jubilee Christian Church.”
The Mayor asked everyone to keep wearing a face covering whenever they are outside the house; keep washing hands frequently with soap and warm water and wiping down frequently used objects and surfaces; and keep maintaining six feet of distance from others while avoiding parties and other gatherings.
He also asked all Bostonians to familiarize themselves with the new state advisories that went into effect Friday. They include wearing a face covering at all times in public places; a Stay At Home Advisory for 10pm to 5am; and a closing time for in-person businesses of 9:30pm.