Boston officials report elevated virus levels in wastewater

BOSTON (AP) — Boston health officials said Friday they’re concerned about elevated levels of the coronavirus in the city’s wastewater.

The concentration of the virus increased by 3.1% over the past week and by nearly 100% over the past two weeks, according to the Boston Public Health Commission.

New COVID-19 cases in Boston have decreased slightly over the past week, though the data does not include positive results from at-home tests, the commission said.

The public health commissioner says increases in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, combined with flu season, would cause “major strain” on Boston’s health care system.