COVID-19 update for April 7; 398 positive cases
For Immediate Release:
4/7/2020 5:52 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for April 7:
- There are now 398 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. All 398 individuals are being monitored by the Worcester Division of Public Health and are in isolation.
- Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 283 new cases (average of 47 new cases per day).
- The Worcester Police Department has 2 positive cases with eight members quarantined.
- The Worcester Fire Department has 6 positive cases. Three members are self-isolating and three have been cleared to return to duty. 26 members are in self-quarantine and 3 members are awaiting test results.
- All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 112 total COVID-positive in-patients and 33 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 19 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 79 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
- Today, the City Manager toured the temporary homeless shelters (Ascension Church, North High, St. John’s) with U. S. Congressman Jim McGovern and Commissioner of Health & Human Services Dr. Matilde Castiel. The group met and spoke with many of the residents (58 clients between the 3 shelters as of today). The tireless work of so many staff and volunteers (9 staff per site/3 per shift), including Elizabeth Gonzalez with Net of Compassion, who is overseeing the sites, has made these shelters a huge success.
- The City’s temporary homeless shelters had a total of 58 beds filled, with 17 available.
- There are 5 individuals at Worcester Tech: 3 who tested positive and 2 people under investigation.
- The state's Executive Office of Health and Human Services has announced the launch of the Nursing Home Family Resource Line – a dedicated phone line to connect family members of nursing home and rest home residents with the information and resources. This service provides one central contact for families and community members who have questions about nursing home or rest home care during the COVID-19 outbreak. The line, available by calling 617-660-5399, is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
- City employees continue working everyday on the front lines whether it be public health staff, first responders, or other important staff members like those at the Senior Center, where Wei Shi serves as a dedicated staff assistant. Wei coordinates the Chinese Elder Group as well as assisting with the respite program for caregivers of loved ones living with dementia. She has been on staff at the Senior Center for three and a half years. Wei has also been making approximately 25 wellness check/reassurance calls per day to seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A reminder that the City's daily media briefings can be streamed on the City website or through Facebook Live at the City's Facebook page. The daily briefings on Facebook Live have received more than 400,000 total views with an average reach of 17,000 viewers per day. (Does not include those watching on the City Government cable channel - Spectrum 192).
- 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. To donate visit: worcesterma.gov/coronavirus or text “worcestercovid19” to 243725. Checks can also be mailed to: Greater Worcester Community Foundation, COVID-19 Response Fund, 370 Main St #650, Worcester, MA 01608.
- Senior Center Update: Total number of seniors contacted to date: 2,490; 196 outreach calls were made today and 1,424 meals were delivered.
- 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.
