Daily coronavirus case counts in Massachusetts are hovering just above 1,000, representing a slight uptick in recent weeks. On Greater Boston, local doctors said the pandemic still isn't over, so it's important to keep your COVID-19 supplies stocked up to protect yourself and your loved ones.
More Local News
"As much as we wish to put this behind us, it is still very much with us. We need to understand that increasingly, we see more severe COVID among people who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated," said Dr. Cassandra Pierre, medical director of Boston Medical Center Public Health Programs.
Coronavirus hospitalization rates in Massachusetts have stayed low. Dr. Lakshman Swamy, critical care physician with Cambridge Health Alliance, said he currently doesn't have any COVID-19 patients in the ICU.
But, he added that COVID-19 is always on the horizon and it's important to have masks and testing kits at home. Swamy said indoor public spaces are still a good time to wear a mask and he also recommends testing at home before attending gatherings.
Another key step in this stage of COVID-19 is talking to your doctor as soon as you test positive to get access to prescription coronavirus treatments.
More broadly, Pierre said protecting yourself from COVID-19 starts with maintaining good overall health by getting screenings and taking care of chronic illness.
"That's going to put you in good stead for so many things including COVID, and this is the right time to do it. The weather is great and you want to make sure that you have a good summer," Pierre said.
Watch: How you can prep for COVID
