Boston City TV, MA City of Boston Press Office, 8 Apr 2021

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From YouTube: COVID-19 Media Availability 4-8-21

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Boston Mayor Kim Janey hosts a media availability to discuss updates relating to COVID-19.

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Everyone ready. Can you hear me wonderful good afternoon.

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I am pleased to be joined today by marty martinez, our chief of health and human services for our weekly covet update. Today, I am giving an update on our covet response and related news in boston. We saw 264 new, confirmed cases for a total of 65 992..

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Thankfully there were no new deaths reported, keeping that total number to thirteen hundred and fifty five and two hundred and thirty people recovered, bringing that total to sixty one thousand two hundred and fifty two.

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We continue to monitor covet activity across six key metrics, daily, positivity, positive cases, daily percent of positive tests, community cova tests covet related er visits, available, icu and medical surgical beds and icu bed occupancy overall case numbers and positivity rates have remained relatively flat. With some increase among younger bostonians.

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We have seen a welcome increase in the number of residents getting tested across the city. The total number of tests increased by seven percent week to week and eleven percent over the two-week period, positivity increased by 0.2 points week to week and 1.2 points over the two-week period time period. It is now at 5.1 percent slightly above the threshold of five percent.

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Hospital data are relatively stable. The number of coveted emergency department visits increased two percent week to week and five percent over the two-week period. The percentage of available icu and medical surgical beds remain at 11 percent and non-surgical icu beds is at 89 percent below its threshold of 95 percent.

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I want to highlight the vaccine equity grant initiative that I announced in my first week as mayor. I have committed 1.5 million dollars to support non-profit organizations creating equitable access for bostonians, who have been disproportionately impacted by covet. 19.

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applications are now open for this new grant, funding that will prioritize partnership models that bring together vaccine providers and community organizations.

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The vaccine equity grant initiative awards will support both clinical and wrap-around services that create true vaccine access and equity.

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The grant application deadline has been extended to wednesday april 14th, and I will I look forward to announcing awardees later this month. I want to conclude by lifting up our equity and vaccine access line, which is intended for residents who are currently eligible for a vaccine and are part of populations and equitably impacted by the virus.

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When residents call six three 617-635 five, five, five five, they can press one if they are a boston resident age, 65 or older, or press two. If they are a boston resident who is currently eligible to get vaccinated and identify as a person of color, then a real person will take their name and contact. Information residents can also provide their contact information by going online and visiting boston, dot, gov forward slash, get vaccinated.

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Before concluding, I want to take the opportunity to remind everyone once again of the importance of following this: the public safety guidelines, that's washing your hands wearing your mask, keeping your distance getting tested and please get vaccinated when you are able at this time. I will take any questions for me or chief martinez.

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You will see our budget next week when we release it. I will share the budget first with the boston city council and you will have access to that at that time.

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Thank you very much.

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