For Immediate Release: 4/4/2020 6:39 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for April 4:
• There are now 310 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 cases in the City of Worcester. All 310 individuals are being monitored by the Worcester Division of Public Health and are in isolation.
• Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 195 new cases.
• The Worcester Police Department have had 2 positive cases. Six members are quarantined. Two members were tested today.
• The Worcester Fire Department has had 6 positive cases. Four members are self-isolating and 2 have been cleared to return to duty. Twenty-five members are in self-quarantine and 11 are awaiting test results.
• All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 109 total COVID-positive in-patients and 29 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 14 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 64 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
• To help field calls of concern from family members of relatives in the city’s long-term care facilities, the Senior Center will assist Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh of UMass Memorial Health Care in answering and returning calls starting Monday, April 6.
• In addition, Worcester Public Health will host a webinar on Tuesday, April 7 with all long-term care facilities in Worcester. The call will include Dr. Hirsh, the state Department of Public Health and a representative from the state Senior Care Association.
• The city’s temporary homeless shelters (St. John’s, Ascension Church, North High School and Worcester Tech) had a total of 64 beds filled, with 11 available.
• There are 2 individuals at Worcester Tech: 1 who tested positive and 1 person under investigation.
• The City of Worcester continues to look for volunteers to staff the temporary homeless shelters. If you are willing to work as part of a team to keep our most vulnerable safe, please email volunteer@worcesterma.gov.
• The Worcester Together Fund, a joint effort of the City of Worcester, Greater Worcester Community Foundation and United Way of Central Massachusetts, has to date raised $3.7 million. That includes recent donations from the Fuller Foundation, $50,000; Ellsworth Foundation, $100,000; McEvoy Fund, $50,000; Emelia Peabody Trust, $50,000; and a $30,000 individual donation. To donate visit: worcesterma.gov/coronavirus or text “worcestercovid19” to 243725.
• The City of Worcester COVID-19 information line can be reached at 508-799-1019. This service is available in multiple languages. Individuals can speak live with a nurse, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The line has received more than 2,500 calls with more than 400 connected to a live nurse.
