‘EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE’

Wu works to slow COVID spread

Michelle Wu says “everything is on the table” in the race to slow the spread of the coronavirus and concerning new variants like omicron as cases surge during the holiday season.

“The first omicron case has just been detected Massachusetts and we are seeing an anticipated holiday surge and COVID cases. We will continue monitoring the situation extremely closely and follow the science at every turn,” Wu said at City Hall on Monday, introducing her newly formed 17-member COVID19 advisory committee.

“Omicron unfortunately, will not be the last variant that we see.”

The committee “will assist in decision-making around tackling new variants and working to end the pandemic in Boston,” according to a press release.

Wu didn’t give a specific timeline for when Bostonians could expect new policy decisions, but said the “goal is to move quickly.” The freshly minted Boston mayor left open the door for stricter regulations — like vaccine requirements for businesses and restaurantgoers seen in sister cities like New York.

The advisory group, which is meeting early this week, is made up of health care professionals along with community, business and cultural leaders.

Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the Boston Public Health director, will lead the commission, the mayor said. Wu elevated her job to a cabinet-level position, and Ojikutu is taking the lead on issues related to both COVID and the opioid and homelessness crises at Mass and Cass.

Boston Health Chief Marty Martinez, who has led the city’s responses to coronavirus and opioids is “transitioning out” of his role atop the Health and Human Services Department, the Wu administration announced on Monday.

“We are currently in the midst of an anticipated COVID-19 winter surge. COVID-19 cases and hospitalization are up while vaccination among some of our most vulnerable populations is lagging behind,” Ojikutu said.

Currently about 67% of the city’s population is fully vaccinated, Ojikutu said. But just 21% of fully vaccinated Bostonians have received a booster shot so far.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are also up about 28% over the past two weeks as the city’s positivity rate has jumped above 5%, Ojikutu reported. ICU capacity is at about 92%, but additional surge capacity is “ready to activate.”

Roughly two-thirds of coronavirus patients are unvaccinated.

“Let me be clear: Vaccination is critical to ending this pandemic,” Ojikutu said.

AmaNDa saBga pHOTOs / BOsTON HeralD ALL HANDS: Mayor Michelle Wu speaks during a press conference, addressing COVID-19 updates as well as the city’s new COVID-19 advisory committee at City Hall on Monday. At left, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, chair of the city’s new COVID-19 advisory committee, takes a turn at the mic.