This far into the pandemic, it’s clear that the wastewater doesn’t lie — and unfortunately, the Boston-area COVID-19 wastewater data is continuing to shoot up.
The local wastewater samples spiking 109% over the past two weeks, along with a major increase in reported virus cases, led city health officials on Thursday to urge people to take “extra precautions” and mask up indoors.
The most recent update from the Boston-area wastewater tracker shows the highest virus sewage samples since late January when the original omicron variant was on the downturn.
Now, the wastewater data in both the south and north of Boston regions are rising as the omicron BA.2 variant spreads. Also, the subvariant BA.2.12.1 is circulating. The sewage data is the earliest sign of future virus cases in the community.
“We’re seeing some big increases right now,” said Todd Ellerin, director of infectious diseases at South Shore Health.
“We know hospitalizations will go up, but with each progressive surge or swell, we keep uncoupling cases from hospitalizations and deaths,” he added. “None of us know how high things will go this time, but I think we won’t come close to the peak of omicron.”
The south of Boston’s COVID wastewater average has surged 116% in the past two weeks. The north of Boston’s average has gone up 92% during the same time period. The wastewater levels are still much lower than the omicron peak.
A recent one-day measurement in the southern region was 1,238 copies per milliliter, which was the highest virus wastewater level since Jan. 31 when there were 1,388 copies. Wastewater levels are going up in Suffolk, Middlesex and Essex counties.
Citing a 65% increase in reported COVID cases over the past two weeks, the Boston Public Health Commission on Thursday urged residents to get tested, stay home if not feeling well, keep up to date on their vaccinations, and renewed its recommendation that masks be worn indoors.
“With COVID-19 cases rising, we are urging all Bostonians to take extra precautions to protect yourselves, your family, and our community,” said Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the BPHC.
“We are recommending that individuals protect themselves and others by masking indoors, particularly in crowded places,” she added. “These precautions are how we protect the progress we’ve made in our community.”
Ellerin said it’s critical that vulnerable, high-risk patients “maximize their protection” by getting the second booster shot. Testing early is also key, so they can start taking antivirals right away if they’re positive.
“Making sure we strategically mask is important in large crowds, while traveling, if you’re indoors for a long period of time,” he added. “Keep the mask on, especially as COVID cases are rising.”
