Boston Residents Urged To Get Tested, Walsh Challenges Businesses

BOSTON — Mayor Marty Walsh urged all residents to get tested for the coronavirus as infections continue to rise across his city.

Walsh on Thursday announced the "Get The Test Boston" pledge, imploring businesses to step up in providing opportunities for employees to get tested while on the clock.

"I am asking everyone to commit to getting tested for COVID-19," Walsh said. "Getting tested is how you keep yourself and your family safe. It’s also how we track the presence of the virus in our community. We need the most accurate picture we can get, so we can focus our response in the most effective way."

Walsh said eligible city workers will be paid for one hour every 14 days to get tested during work hours. He asked companies to consider a similar plan to encourage employees to get tested.

As of Wednesday Boston has had 19,986 confirmed coronavirus cases and 778 deaths related to the virus. But even as cases continue an upward trend, testing has started to wane, Walsh said.

"We need to turn that around,” Walsh said.

Find testing sites in Boston here.