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COVID-19 in Boston

Stay up to date on the latest data and recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to Prevent COVID-19

Stay Up to Date on Your Vaccinations:

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) recommends everyone aged 6 months and older be vaccinated and boosted with their COVID-19 vaccines when eligible.

Know When to Mask:

BPHC strongly recommends wearing a mask while indoors, including when using public transportation, in government buildings, and in crowded outdoor venues. Masking is especially important for those who are at higher risk for severe illness, such as people who are not fully vaccinated, seniors, and those who are immunocompromised. 

Get Tested:

Get tested If you have COVID-19 symptoms, were exposed to COVID-19, and before and after large gatherings and travel. If you test positive, contact your doctor right away to see if early treatments are an option for you. Learn more about what to do if you test positive.

Gather Outdoors or have Good Indoor Ventilation:

When weather allows, increase fresh outdoor air by opening windows and doors. This is especially important for public spaces that serve a high number of patrons.

Stay Home If You Are Sick:

If you are feeling sick, please stay home to prevent further spread to those around you. Get tested, and if you test positive, call your doctor right away. Learn more about treatment options for COVID-19

Ways to stay informed

Sign up for text alerts

Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to opt-in for alerts in English. We also have text alerts in 10 other languages.

Ask Alexa for latest alerts

Enable the Boston Info Skill and then say, "Alexa, ask Boston info are there any alerts?"

Call the Mayor's HealthLine

If you have questions about COVID-19 or accessing care, call 617-534-5050 or toll-free at 1-800-847-0710.

When and How to Mask

Wearing a well-fitting mask minimizes your likelihood of contracting and spreading the virus. BPHC strongly recommends wearing a mask: 

  • When you are indoors, including when using public transportation, in government buildings, and in crowded outdoor venues. 
  • If you are at higher risk for severe illness, such as people who are not fully vaccinated, seniors, and those who are immunocompromised.  
  • If you are around those who may be at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you may have been exposed to COVID-19 recently. 

Choose a mask that fits snugly against your nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Due to the more transmissible omicron variant, consider wearing a disposable surgical mask, or if you will be in close contact with the public, a KN95 mask.

Follow BPHC’s guide on how to put on a mask.

You can also learn how to safely put on and remove gloves.

COVID-19 Treatment Options

If you test positive for COVID-19, early treatments that prevent severe illness and hospitalization may be an option for you. Options include: 

BPHC advises that individuals who want to exit isolation before day 11 should be asymptomatic and fever-free for 24 hours and have a negative COVID-19 antigen test result. They should also continue to use a mask while indoors around others until day 11 after their first COVID-19 positive test.

Infographics and Materials

Educational Materials
Healthy at Home
Living with Long COVID
Flu Season is Here
Saludable en Casa
Vivir con COVID prolongado
La temporada de gripe está aquí
An sante lakay ou
K ap viv ak lontan COVID
Sezon Grip la
صحي في المنزل
التعايش مع COVID الطويل
ها قد وصل موسم الإنفلونزا
Saudável na Kaza
COVID Longu
TEMPU DI GRIPI
居家健康
与长期 COVID 一起生活
流感季节来了
Sain à la maison
Vivre avec une longue COVID
La saison de la grippe est arrivée
په کور کې سالم
د اوږد COVID سره ژوند کول
د فلو موسم دلته دی
saudável em casa
Viver com o longo COVID
A temporada de gripe chegou
Здоровый дома
Жизнь с затяжным COVID
Сезон гриппа уже здесь
Caafimaadka Guriga
La noolaanshaha dheer ee COVID
Xiliga hargabku waa kan
khỏe mạnh tại nhà
Sống chung với COVID kéo dài
Mùa cúm đến rồi

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