BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — As the new BA.5 Omicron subvariant leads to spiking COVID cases here in Massachusetts and around the country, the city of Boston is once again advising indoor masking in crowded spaces to help stop the spread.
On Thursday, the Boston Public Health Commission said cases were up 38.9% in the last week. Hospitalizations and COVID levels in the wastewater had risen as well.
Based on the current trends, the city's Public Health Commission is encouraging residents and visitors to cover their faces in busy indoor locations, to gather outside as often as possible, and to stay up to date with COVID vaccine and booster shots.
Health officials specifically cited public transit as a place where it's a good idea to mask up for now. Surveying the MBTA's South Station during the Monday morning commute, most riders were still mask-free, but open to the advice from city health officials.
"I work in the health care industry. I think it's very important to listen to the science and to wear your mask," one commuter told WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas.
"I'm very pro mask. Say the word and I'm back to wearing it."
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) has more:
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