Walsh Says Coronavirus Testing Is Up 8% In Boston. Here’s Why The Mayor Wants Even More – WBUR

City officials in Boston are continuing to urge people to get tested for the coronavirus.

The city's positive test rate was 7.2% for the week ending on Oct. 31, down slightly from 8% the week before.There is still a 10% positive test rate in Dorchester, Mattapan and East Boston.

"We increased testing and at the same time we saw fewer total positive tests," Mayor Marty Walsh said at a press conference Thursday.

He is advocating for increased testing as a way for the city to get a better understanding of where transmission is occurring.

There aretwo mobile testing sites where residents can be tested regardless of symptoms in addition to 30 testing sites across the city.

Since announcing the pushlast week, Walsh says the city saw an 8% increase in the number of people getting tested.

Health and Human Services Chief Marty Martinez says transmission is occurring across a range of different interactions.

"There's not just one scenario, but it's a lot of scenarios," Martinez said at Thursday's press conference. "It includes people who are still going to work then who are coming home ... and living in multigenerational homes, who are infecting other people in their houses. We see folks having small gatherings in their home ... three, four or five people. We see folks getting it from being out and about."

Martinez again reminded everyone to wear face masks, social distance and avoid being around large groups of people.

With increased testing, delaying the next phase of reopening and the state's new stay-at-home advisories, Walsh said he's "hopeful" the city will not have to shut down again. Still, he said "we'll have to deal with that at that point"if numbers continue to rise in the next two to three weeks.

The governor's new orders go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. They limit indoor gatherings at home to 10 people, and outdoor gatherings to 25 people. They also include a stay-at-home advisory between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and require that some businesses close by 9:30 p.m.

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Walsh Says Coronavirus Testing Is Up 8% In Boston. Here's Why The Mayor Wants Even More - WBUR