With the state’s covid-19 vaccine rollout in the initial stage, Mayor Martin Walsh said that although cases in Boston are “heading in the right direction,” residents should continue getting tested regularly.

“Testing does remain critical even as the vaccine becomes available to more groups. We want to encourage people to make testing a part of your regular routines, get tested once a week if at all possible," said Walsh.

The city continues to collaborate with the state on vaccine rollout, Walsh said, noting that several vaccination sites are up and running in the city, including the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, Fenway Park, multiple sites operated by Community Health Centers, and 5 pharmacy locations.

“By the end of the week we’ll have 8 pharmacy locations giving vaccines in the City of Boston,” said Walsh.

In the city on Tuesday, 168 confirmed covid-19 cases and 2 deaths were recorded, bringing Boston’s total caseloads since the beginning of the pandemic to 55,404 and 1,196, respectively.

The most recent public health metrics for the week ending on Feb. 4 show that while covid-19 rates are on the decline, so is the city’s testing rate. Last week an average of 4,111 residents were tested daily, down by 16 percent from the previous week; an average of 239 daily cases were recorded, down 31 percent from the week before. The community positive also dropped from 6.2 to 5 percent.

“We’re seeing a significant drop in our positive cases so we’d like to be able to get our testing up. If we see our testing go up and cases go down that shows that we’re definitely headed in the right direction,” Walsh told reporters from inside City Hall.

Walsh highlighted the testing availability at the Strand Theatre and encouraged residents to "make testing a part of regular routines."

“This past week chief Marty Martinez and Council President Kim Janey visited the Strand Theatre. We see an opportunity to increase the capacity at the site, and we’re looking for ways to work with community partners and offer more tests as the Strand continues to move forward," said Walsh.

The Strand, at 543 Columbia Rd. in Uphams Corner, is open for walk-in testing on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All individuals can be tested, no appointment necessary, for free-- regardless of symptoms or insurance and are also supplied with care kits containing masks, hand sanitizer and community resource information on-site.

Brigham & Women's provides information about resources and wraparound services in the area and connects patients with access to healthcare and urgent care through a partnership with Uphams Corner Health Center.

Mayor Martinez, chief of Health and Human Services, said he “can’t stress enough” the importance of getting tested.

“People have done so much heavy work after the holiday— stopped social gatherings and our rates are lower. We saw a decrease in testing but also a bigger decrease in positive tests. There’s less infection in the community. But we want to continue to encourage folks, if you’re out, seeing people, you should get tested to be safe,” said Martinez.

When asked if all the buzz about vaccines is diverting attention from testing, Martinez replied: “Yes it’s a concern. I don’t want people to focus just on the vaccine, as important as it is, we need to remind folks that there’s testing access. It’s why yesterday myself and president Janey visited the Strand Theatre in Uphams Corner, which has a lot of access. It's important that we don’t lose sight of that.”

Walsh urged any person 75 or older having trouble obtaining a vaccination slot should call 311 and ask for the Age Strong Commission.

“We will help you sign up so that you can get in line for a vaccination. The city is stepping in and helping residents navigate the state’s registration site to help older people and non-english speakers.”

Last week Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the state would increase capacity limits from 25 to to 40 percent for businesses allowed to be open in phase 3 step 1, taking effect Feb. 8. Walsh noted that the city has aligned with the state on the increased capacity limits.

“The improvements we’ve seen in our state and city numbers are encouraging. It means the measures that we’re taking are certainly making a difference,” said Walsh.

“That does not mean that anyone should let their guards down. We should all continue doing our parts to keep the numbers down so that certain activities can stay open safely. Throughout this crisis Boston has taken a very cautious approach we’re only moving forward if the public health data says it's safe to do so.”

Walsh said that the city is and will continue to take “swift actions when establishments do not meet the safety protocols.”
The city’s Inspectional Services Department is working in partnership with the Boston Police Department, the Boston Fire Department, the Licensing Board and the Boston Public Health Commission to ensure that business and restaurant owners are in compliance.

“ISD is conducting random spot checks every week in neighborhoods to make sure they’re up to code. We’re not there to give you a hard time, we're there to make sure that people stay safe,” said Walsh.

The mayor said that enforcement efforts were “ramped up” on Super Bowl Sunday, and urged residents who are concerned about parties or businesses that are not adhering to public safety protocols to call 311 or BPD’s party line at 617-343- 5500.

Walsh also noted that the Licensing Board has been holding hearings to take action when businesses fail to comply.

“The hearings that we have will result in immediate actions and we will close restaurants and businesses when necessary. In 2020, city agencies have responded to a total 2,500 complaints about businesses. Most were dealt with immediately and all were handled within 24 hours,” the mayor said.

“Nobody wants to shut a restaurant down, including myself, but if need be—we will. We’re doing everything we can to help business owners but the health and safety of our residents needs to come first.

The mayor said that people should only go to restaurants for in-person dining with individuals living in the same household.

“Valentine's Day is coming up with the weekend. If you go out to dinner we want to make sure you take extra precaution because lots of people want to go out for dinner," said Walsh.