The Heights

COVID-19 Cases in Newton Begin to Increase After Weeks of Low Figures

Victor Stefanescu • April 3, 2022

“The bottom line from Newton Health and Human Services Commissioner Linda Walsh is, ‘We’re in a time of cautious optimism,’” Fuller wrote. “She notes that we’ll be living with COVID-19 for months and months to come. We’ve shifted to all of us taking personal responsibility and staying home if we’re not feeling well.”

University Extends Walk-In COVID-19 Testing

Amy Palmer • March 30, 2022

Boston College extended its walk-in asymptomatic COVID-19 testing through May 17, according to an email sent to the BC community on Wednesday.

As COVID-19 Cases Plummet in Newton, Residents React to a Changing Pandemic Environment

Victor Stefanescu • March 20, 2022

“I think Newton’s done a great job,” she said. “I think the mayor’s done a great job of communication of information.”

CDC Categorizes Newton as Low for COVID-19 Risk as City Sees Fewest Cases Since Omicron Surge

Victor Stefanescu • March 5, 2022

For the third week in a row, the city reported no COVID-19 deaths. The city reported only 111 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

NPS Committee Votes For Removal of Mask Mandate in a Straw Poll, Official Vote to Come Next Week

Tommy Roche • March 3, 2022

Some citizens voiced objections, including a parent with an immunocompromised child, among others.

BC Ends Asymptomatic Surveillance Testing, Cites Community Vaccination Rates

Amy Palmer • February 21, 2022

Boston College ended its asymptomatic surveillance testing program for fully vaccinated individuals on Monday, according to an email sent to the BC community.

University Reports Slight Drop in Undergraduate COVID-19 Cases

Erin Shannon • February 14, 2022

Boston College reported 351 undergraduate cases of COVID-19 out of 7,078 tests conducted last week—a positivity rate of five percent—according to the BC Forward website.

Newton to Remove Public Indoor Mask Mandate Effective Feb. 18

Connor Siemien • February 13, 2022

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Newton Health and Human Services Commissioner Linda Walsh announced the removal of the indoor mask mandate for public spaces effective at the end of the day on Feb. 18, according to an email update from Fuller on Feb. 11.

BC Surpasses Previous COVID-19 Record, 1000 Cases for the Semester

Erin Shannon • February 8, 2022

Boston College surpassed its all-time record for COVID-19 cases on campus for the second week in a row, with 394 undergraduates testing positive out of 7,158 tests this past week—a positivity rate of 5.5 percent—according to the BC Forward website.

BC Breaks COVID-19 Record, Temporary Mask Mandate Ends

Erin Shannon • February 1, 2022

Boston College broke its all-time record for the highest number of COVID-19 cases on campus for the second time this semester, with 386 undergraduates testing positive out of 7,842 tests—a positivity rate of 4.92 percent—according to the BC Forward website.

Boston-Area Universities Shift COVID-19 Policies in 2022

Erin Shannon • January 31, 2022

From classes on Zoom to masks on campus, the COVID-19 pandemic has warped the realities of college life for the past two years.

Newton City Workers Reach 100-Percent Compliance With Vaccine Policy

Ashley Emanuel • January 30, 2022

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to challenge the City of Newton, Newton municipal employees recently reached a 100-percent compliance rate with the city’s employee vaccination policy, according to Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s Jan. 21 newsletter.