Jamaica Plain saw a four percent increase in the COVID-19 infection rate in the past two weeks but is still below the citywide average.
According to Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) data released last Friday, Jamaica Plain’s infection rate went from 197 cases per 10,000 residents to 204.8 cases per 10,000 residents. However, Jamaica Plain remains several points under the citywide infection rate average which is now at 241.8.
Thirty-one more Jamaica Plain residents became infected with COVID-19 in the past two weeks and the number of total cases here went from 796 cases two weeks ago to 827 cases last week.
Those testing positive for the virus in Jamaica Plains also decreased last week.
Of the 15,919 Jamaica Plain residents tested 2 percent were found to be COVID positive, down from the 2.6 percent reported two weeks ago. Since testing began in the neighborhood 5.4 percent of Jamaica Plain residents have been found to be COVID positive.
On Wednesday Mayor Martin Walsh provided an update on the overall COVID-19 trends in Boston.
For the week ending Saturday, September 19, the positive test rate was 2.7 percent, which was roughly level with the week before. The cumulative positive test rate since March is now 7.3 percent.
“We have seen a slight increase in our hospitalization numbers, so there is an uptick in COVID-19 activity,” said Walsh. “It has not crossed the threshold for major concern, but we will continue to monitor it carefully. The City will continue to bring resources where they are needed, and urge everyone to take this virus as seriously as ever.”
However, as far as the State metrics go, Walsh said that Boston is very close to moving into the “red” category on their map.
“That could happen today or next week,” said Walsh. “This means we are seeing eight new cases per day, per 100,000 people.”
Walsh added that the City will keep monitoring all our metrics and responding with targeted strategies.
“We’ll bring testing and resources where they are needed and address health inequities, as well as keep working with employers, colleges and universities, and with the community to keep taking precautions,” he said. “And we will continue our cautious approach to reopening.”
The statistics released by the BPHC as part of its weekly COVID-19 report breaks down the number of cases and infection rates in each neighborhood. It also breaks down the number of cases by age, gender and race.
Citywide positive cases of coronavirus rose only 2.7 percent last week from 16,310 cases to 16,766 cases. So far 13,605 Boston residents have fully recovered from the virus and two additional residents died last week bringing the total of fatalities in the city to 761.
During his press briefing on the virus, Walsh did highlight one notable trend.
“Forty-eight percent of new cases in the last two weeks of data are in people under the age of 30,” said Walsh.
Walsh stressed that young people must be especially cautious, in order to protect themselves and the rest of the community as well, including older populations who tend to experience more severe symptoms if they contract the virus.