The COVID wastewater data is the first sign of virus cases in the community, and the wastewater levels are now the highest they’ve been since last January. (Herald file photo)
The early January surge has arrived.
As the Boston-area COVID wastewater data continues to spike, there has been a “concerning” jump in COVID cases across Massachusetts, according to doctors who are urging residents to get vaccinated.
The COVID wastewater data is the first sign of virus cases in the community, and the wastewater levels are now the highest they’ve been since last January.
The south-of-Boston virus wastewater weekly average was up to 2,110 copies per milliliter in its most recent reading, which is double from mid-December and triple from late November.
The north-of-Boston average was up to 2,084 copies per milliliter — double from mid-December and four times from late November.
While the virus wastewater data goes up, the total number of reported COVID cases has been elevated in Massachusetts.
The state Department of Public Health on Thursday reported that there were 5,955 COVID cases during the last week of data, which compares to 2,959 reported weekly cases at the end of November. The 5,955 cases is a tick down from the previous week’s report of 6,230 cases.
“The physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society are seeing a concerning and marked rise in cases of influenza and Covid-19 among our patients,” said Barbara Spivak, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society.
“It is not too late in the season to get vaccinated against the flu and to get the most updated Covid-19 vaccines, and we urge people to contact their health care provider to schedule an appointment to do so as soon as possible,” Spivak added.
The doctors are also recommending that people mask up in crowds.
“If you are socializing in crowded places, we recommend wearing a mask,” Spivak said. “Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently and, whenever possible, stay home when you do not feel well or have symptoms of illness.”
Mass General Brigham this week brought back its staff mask mandate with local hospitals seeing higher respiratory infection levels amid the winter when cases typically go up.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has also reinstituted a mask mandate for everyone at the cancer center, including staff and patients. Those with cancer have a higher risk of suffering from severe COVID.
“Covid-19 and the flu can be quite serious and potentially deadly,” Spivak said. “By getting vaccines that are proven safe and effective, you are doing your part to keep yourself, your family, community, workplaces, and schools safe and healthy. Vaccines reduce the likelihood that you will require a visit to an emergency department or other health care setting that is still impacted by thin resources and overcrowding, which will allow health care teams to better treat the sickest patients.
Spivak added, “Transmissible diseases may be a nuisance over the course of a few days and not trigger serious symptoms in most healthy people, but it is critically important to take every available measure to protect those among us who are most vulnerable.”
