Boston Officials Report High Levels of Coronavirus in Wastewater

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Boston fitness officials said Friday they are involved in the highest levels of coronavirus in the city’s sewage.

The concentration of the virus in local wastewater has risen 3. 1 percent over the past week and nearly 100 percent in the past two weeks, according to new data this week from the Boston Public Health Commission.

New COVID-19 cases in Boston have declined slightly over the past week, the information does not come with positive home verification results, the commission said. Boston hospitals recorded 170 new COVID-19-like hospitalizations this week.

Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, public fitness commissioner, said the peak concentration in wastewater is “very concerning” because the buildup of COVID-19 hospitalizations, combined with flu season, will put a “huge strain” on Boston’s fitness system.

Ojikutu said it’s important to check to anticipate this and for other people to get a flu shot, wear a mask inside, get screened for COVID-19 and self-isolate if they test positive to help reduce transmission. Nearly 79% of Bostonians are fully vaccinated.

The commission began detecting high levels of coronavirus in wastewater in late September.

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