Charlestown’s Weekly COVID Positive Test Rate Spikes Dramatically

After experiencing a 185 percent increase in the weekly COVID-19 positive test rate two weeks ago things have seemed to have leveled off in Charlestown.

Last week the cumulative COVID-19 positive test rate in Charlestown went up slightly and the weekly positive test rate decreased slightly after a dramatic spike according to the latest data released on Friday by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC).

According to the BPHC report, of the 13,903 Charlestown residents tested for the virus since the pandemic began 8.3 percent were found to be positive by last Friday. This was a 2.45 percentage increase from the 8.1 percent reported by the BPHC two Fridays ago.

Last week 978 residents were tested and 3.6 percent were positive. This was a 2.7 percent decrease from the 3.7 percent that tested positive two Fridays ago. However, the weekly positive test rate spiked from 1.3 percent to 3.7 percent the previous week.

Citywide, ​​​​27,597 residents were tested and 3.6 percent were COVID positive–this was the same positive test rate reported by the BPHC two weeks ago.

At his daily press briefing Monday Mayor Martin Walsh said that Boston’s numbers have stayed below the thresholds for concern for several weeks. The number of people hospitalized continues to go down, people are getting vaccinated every day and help is on the way from the Federal government.

While Walsh said there are many reasons to be hopeful the city is still not out of the woods yet. “Everyone has to stay focused so that we don’t slip backward,” said Walsh. “That means: wearing a mask with a good fit, washing hands with soap and warm water, avoiding gatherings, and getting tested frequently.”

The Mayor said that people who have been vaccinated should look at the CDC’s guidance on activities they can do safely, which is posted on CDC.gov.

As far as the St. Patrick’s Day holiday Walsh thanked the people of Boston for respecting public health guidance so far during the days leading up to the Irish Holiday and said that the City didn’t have many reports of big gatherings.

“City departments were out enforcing safety protocols at restaurants, and for the most part, everyone was in compliance,” said Walsh. “No emergency Licensing Board hearings were needed this morning (Monday). We need everyone to keep it up this coming week and weekend, too. As I said last week, having a party and potentially causing an outbreak, isn’t worth it. I thank everyone who continues to do their part.”

The infection rate in Charlestown and surrounding neighborhoods increased 2.8 percent in one week according to the latest city statistics.

The BPHC data released last Friday showed Charlestown’s infection rate increased 2.8 percent and went from 566 cases per 10,000 residents to 582 cases per 10,000 residents.

An additional 31 residents became infected with the virus last week bringing the total to 1,130 confirmed cases in the neighborhood.

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 1.95 percent  percent last week and went from  59,953 cases to 61,126 confirmed cases in a week. Twenty-seven additional Boston residents died from the virus last week and there are now 1,313 total deaths in the city from COVID.

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