City of Worcester, MA

COVID-19 update for April 9; 482 positive cases

For Immediate Release: 4/9/2020 5:56 pm

• There are now 482 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. All 482 individuals are being monitored by the Worcester Division of Public Health and are in isolation.
  
  
• Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 367 new cases (average of 45 new cases per day).
  
  
• The Worcester Police Department has 5 positive cases with four members quarantined. One of the positive cases has been cleared to return to work.
  
  
• The Worcester Fire Department has 6 positive cases. Four have been cleared to return to duty. 27 members are in self-quarantine.
  
  
• All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 134 total COVID-positive in-patients and 44 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 22 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 87 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
  
  
• Reliant Medical Group is opening a temporary observation unit to reduce pressure on overcrowded Emergency Departments and to mitigate risk for patients not suspected of having COVID-19 who require a higher level of care. The unit is located at Reliant’s ReadyMED Plus urgent care facility on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. Reliant’s medical staff will care for adult patients for 12-36 hour stays at this facility.
  
  
• During this time of quarantine it is imperative to know that if anyone is experiencing domestic violence, there are resources available. If an individual is in immediate danger, please call 911 (Worcester Police Department). For those being affected by domestic violence or dating violence, please call SafeLink at 1-877-785-2020. Volunteers at SafeLink are available 24/7, speak English and Spanish, and SafeLink also has a service that can provide translation in more than 130 languages.   

• Today the City Manager met with employees at Hope Cemetery and Meals on Wheels/Elder Services of Worcester Area. For those with a reliable vehicle that are interested in helping area seniors in this time of need, please email Stacey McGann at smcgann@eswa.org.
  
  
• Senior Center update: 2,887 seniors have been contacted to date; 211 outreach phone calls were made today; 977 meals were delivered today.
  
  
• The City Manager also recognized the work of Colleen Bolen, Deputy Director of the Division of Public Health. Colleen started with WDPH as an intern from Providence College 11 years ago and has held many positions over the years including tobacco control and later chief of emergency preparedness. She subsequently earned her master’s in public health from UMass. Colleen has been working as operations chief at the Emergency Operations Center for the last several weeks and has played a critical role ensuring that information and resources are properly triaged. Despite long hours and working seven days a week as a mother with two small children, Colleen continues to have a positive attitude and is willing to help at every turn.

• 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 $4 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.
  
  
• 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.