Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant

Gov. Baker Must Rethink Indoor Dining as COVID-19 Surges, Say Local Public Health Experts | Eater Boston

"Recent wastewater monitoring at the treatment plant shows levels of viral RNA at their highest since the pandemic’s initial spring surge and trending upward, a development local scientists say could have serious implications for indoor dining this fall and winter as colder weather pushes people indoors. Experts described the findings as “super worrisome,” noting that wastewater data reflect the true level of community infection beyond testing numbers, and urged officials to consider pulling back on indoor gatherings — including dining — and to communicate a clear plan for winter responses. The surge in wastewater signals coincides with policy changes that recently expanded indoor dining capacity statewide (increasing table sizes from six to ten and allowing bar seating), while the city of Boston has maintained a six-person table cap; public-health leaders worry those relaxations, combined with complacency and disinformation, are contributing to rising transmission. Confirmatory indicators include a spike to 1,128 newly reported cases on October 24 (the highest since mid-May) and a 75% increase in average daily cases over two weeks, prompting calls for stricter, better-communicated measures and clarity on what triggers and targets any future restrictions." - Terrence Doyle