Boston’s COVID-19 metrics trending downward

Boston’s COVID-19 metrics are continuing to trend in a favorable direction, according to the Boston Public Health Commission.

Coronavirus particles in the city’s wastewater have decreased by 47 percent over the last two weeks and seven of the city’s 11 neighborhoods are below the city average, according to the BPHC.

The Omicron subvariant XBB accounts for 83 percent of all viral particles sampled.

Boston hospitals had 179 new hospital admissions through February 6, an 8 percent trend over the past week and 16 percent over the past 14 days.

BPHC also announced it will continue to offer free COVID-19 vaccines at city sites through at least the end of 2023.

“Offering free COVID-19 vaccines has been an indispensable part of our pandemic response in Boston and will become even more important as the national public health emergency ends,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, BPHC’s Executive Director. “Equity-focused, public health polices like this are why we have been able to significantly reduce pandemic related racial and ethnic health disparities in Boston.”

Suffolk County remains at medium risk for community transmission, according to the CDC.

BPHC provided the following tips to limit COVID-19 transmission:

- Test for COVID-19 before and after gathering indoors.

- Contact a health care provider about treatment options if you test positive.

- Stay home if you’re sick.

- Wear a mask indoors and on public transportation.

- Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

- If you have not received a COVID-19 booster since September 2022, you are due to receive the bivalent, omicron-specific booster.

- Get your annual flu vaccination.

- Wash hands and disinfect shared surfaces regularly.

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