For Immediate Release: 5/2/2021 11:22 am
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update:
As of Friday, April 30, there were 23,302 overall confirmed positive cases in Worcester. That is an increase of 203 cases since Friday, April 23.
Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 2,931 (increase of 26 since Friday, April 23); Holden: 1,436 (increase of 19); Grafton: 1,156 (increase of 11).
UMass Memorial Health Care and Saint Vincent Hospital have a combined total of 49 COVID-positive in-patients (decrease of 15) and 17 total COVID-positive ICU patients (decrease of 5). To date, the combined facilities have had 720 COVID-related deaths (increase of 2).
There have been 421 deaths of Worcester residents.
According to the state Department of Public Health, a total of 80,279 (about 43.4 percent of the total population) first doses and 51,203 (roughly 27.7 percent of the total population) second doses have been administered for Worcester.
A total of 11,447 vaccination doses have been administered through the City’s Mobile Vaccination Clinics to 7,979 individuals (does not include April 29 clinic). Of those vaccinations, 5,338 first doses, 3,468 second doses, and 2,641 single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been administered.
Upcoming Equity clinics include Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence St., Monday, May 3, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., second dose; Centro, 11 Sycamore St., Wednesday, May 5, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., first dose; Stop & Shop, 940 West Boylston St., Wednesday, May 5, 9:30-10:30 a.m., second dose; Lakeside Apartments, 300 Lakeside Ave., Thursday, May 6, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., first dose; American Legion, 1023 Main St., Thursday, May 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m., second dose; Saint-Gobain, 351 Stores St., Friday, May 7, 12-3 p.m., second dose.
Vaccination sites are available at Mass Vaccination Sites and many pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, as well as at the Regional Site at Worcester State University, and the City’s mobile clinics. With all adults now eligible for vaccinations, people are encouraged to make appointments and take advantage of the many available locations.
Free, walk-in COVID-19 testing offered by UMass Memorial Health Care will be available Monday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursday, May 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Mercantile Center, 201 Commercial St., Worcester (intersection of Commercial and Mechanic streets). For more locations around the state, visit www.mass.gov./info-details/stop-the-spread. People are encouraged to continue being tested to help limit the spread of the virus.
A total of 576 calls were made to seniors last week. The calls are a combination of wellness checks, assisting with vaccination appointments, and helping with other issues, such as accessing food, benefits and housing. Elder Services of Worcester Area delivered 5,833 meals to seniors.
The City of Worcester’s Division of Parks & Recreation, acting on the advice of the Division of Public Health, will start the process of reopening basketball courts on Monday, May 3 with the reinstallation of hoops and rims. That process is expected to be finished by May 7.
Courts had been closed since March 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Volleyball courts will also be reopened following the same schedule as basketball courts with anticipated completion date of Friday, May 7. The City appreciates and recognizes the importance of balancing the needs of public health with the interests of the community. Residents are asked to continue practicing patience as crews do the work of reopening the courts.
The Worcester Public Library announces that, as of Monday, May 3, the Main Library at 3 Salem Square will be open for limited browsing, computer use, faxing, copying and printing on a first-come, first-served basis during one-and-a-half-hour blocks Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. No appointment is necessary. There is a 50-person maximum. Holds can be picked up at the Main Library anytime, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Remote assistance is available by calling 508-799-1655 or at www.mywpl.org. The Francis Perkins Branch, 479 West Boylston St., will offer limited browsing and appointments for computer use, printing and copying on Mondays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursdays, 2-6 p.m. The public is asked to allow the first hour of each day to be used for seniors and vulnerable populations, if possible. The Great Brook Valley Branch will continue to offer limited browsing and is accepting appointments for computer use, printing, and copying. All branches continue to offer holds pickup curbside or in the lobby. Virtual programs and events continue to be offered while in-person events are being added at select locations outdoors by visiting mywpl.org/online-calendar.
Per Gov. Charlie Baker, as of Friday, April 30, face coverings are now only required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance and at other times required by sector-specific guidance. They are still required at all times in indoor public places. Face coverings remain mandatory at all times at indoor and outdoor events, whether in public or private, except for when eating or drinking. Face coverings are recommended, but not required, for smaller gatherings in private homes.
Also per Gov. Baker, effective Monday, May 10, the capacity limit at large venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums and ballparks will increase from 12 percent to 25 percent. This includes Polar Park in Worcester. Road races and other large, outdoor amateur or professional group athletic events will be allowed to take place with staggered starts, and only after submitting safety plans to either a local Board of Health or the Department of Public Health. Youth and adult sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high-risk sports. Singing will also be allowed indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.
Effective Saturday, May 29, and subject to public health and vaccination data, indoor gathering limits will increase to 200 people, while the limit will increase to 250 for event venues, public settings and private settings. Also subject to public health and vaccination data, street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals can open at 50 percent of their previous capacity, and after submitting safety plans to the local Board of Health. In addition, bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries will be subject to restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90-minute limit and no dance floors. Additionally, with public health and vaccination data allowing, restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the requirement that food be served with alcohol, and to increase the maximum amount of people per table to 10.
Effective Aug. 1, and also subject to public health and vaccination data, other businesses will be allowed to open, including dance clubs and nightclubs; saunas, hot tubs and steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other facilities; indoor water parks and ball pits.
For more information, visit www.mass.gov/reopening.
