Boston wastewater reveals sharp spike in COVID-19 levels

Health

Multiple neighborhoods in Boston reported “very high” levels of the disease, but the city’s public health commissions says those are trending downwards.

The level of COVID-19 present in wastewater from multiple Boston neighborhoods more than doubled last month compared to earlier in the summer, but the levels are overall trending downward, public health officials announced Thursday.

With a 163 percent increase in COVID-19 levels across the city compared to July, Roxbury, Mattapan, Allston/Brighton, Back Bay, and Roslindale/West Roxbury are currently classified as “high” or “very high,” according to the Boston Public Health Commission.

Levels of COVID, flu, and RSV in wastewater can more accurately approximate transmission levels than available testing data, the commission said.

“Respiratory viruses continue to be a serious concern, so we suggest that residents monitor their risk, follow recommended precautions and get the updated vaccinations when they are available,” said Bisola Ojikutu, the executive director of the public health commission. Updated vaccines will be widely available this fall.

The commission said COVID levels have more than doubled in July compared to the average in May, when the city’s overall level was low. In May, however, all neighborhoods in Boston were either trending an increase or large increase in COVID-19 levels.

Now, Back Bay and Allston/Brighton’s COVID levels were both classified as very high but are trending downwards. COVID levels in Roslindale/West Roxbury and Mattapan, also very high, are stabilizing, according to the commission’s data through July 28. Roxbury is also seeing a “large decrease” trending.

The Boston Public Health Commission also reported a 62 percent increase in hospitalizations from May compared to July.

COVID-19 infections have been on the rise this summer due to a new variant informally known as “FLiRT.” In Massachusetts, there have been nearly 10,000 confirmed COVID cases across the state and around 3,400 probable cases just since the beginning of July, according to state data.

To stay healthy, officials recommend almost everyone to get vaccinated, stay home if you feel sick, take a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and practice good hygiene.