Boston boosts efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, including more at-home tests

Dozens of people were already lined up to get vaccinated when a clinic run by the Boston Public Health Commission opened its doors for business in Roxbury on Saturday.

The clinic — offering free first, second and booster doses to anyone 5 years of age or older — is just one way public health officials are working around the clock to reach the unvaccinated and get the vaccinated boosted.

And efforts couldn't come soon enough.

According to Boston Public Health Commission Deputy Executive Director Doctor Kathryn Hall, COVID-related hospitalizations in Boston have increased 24% over the past week, with two thirds of those hospitalized with COVID being unvaccinated. The city's overall positivity rate jumped to 6.7%.

Speaking at the clinic, Hall said it's hard, but people need to stay vigilant.

"We have all been experiencing COVID fatigue," Hall said. "And unfortunately, the pandemic will be with us until we stop the spread of the virus and the way to stop the spread of the virus is to get vaccinated, get boosted if you've already been vaccinated, to wear your masks, practice social distancing and isolating if you test positive."

In an effort to help people stop the spread, Hall said the Commission had purchased 20,000 at-home COVID tests. This is on top of the 2.1-million tests purchased and to be distributed by the state.

"We realize that people are having a hard time getting tests, and that's why we're making these family based self kits available to as many people as possible, especially leading up to the holidays so that we can protect ourselves," said Hall.

Details on how to get a kit will be announced early next week, but the hope is to make them available for free at Boston Public Library branches and community centers.

In addition to these tests, Hall says the city plans to hold more community vaccine clinics in the coming weeks. The hope is to reach the roughly 30% of residents who remain unvaccinated in the city - and their children. Hall says only 30% of children in Boston ages 5 through 11 have gotten at least one shot.

"We've set up clinics like the one you're seeing today in neighborhoods with low vaccine rates, so we can connect with more residents, answer their questions and concerns and make it more convenient for them to get a vaccine in a familiar location," said Hall. "We also want to provide factual medical information, from trusted sources to parents and guardians who may have questions about vaccinating their children."

More information on the clinics and tests came be found at boston.gov or by calling 311.