For Immediate Release: 8/20/2020 4:13 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update. Please note the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network (MAVEN) is not operating today. City and town numbers are current as of Wednesday, Aug. 19.
• To date, there have been 5,716 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester, with an additional 69 cases since the last report.
Reporting Date New Cases Increase/Decrease from previous week
19-Aug 69 decrease
13-Aug 70 decrease
5-Aug 97 increase
30-Jul 88 increase
23-Jul 63 increase
16-Jul 43 decrease
9-Jul 61 decrease
2-Jul 75 increase
25-Jun 67 increase
18-Jun 47 increase
11-Jun 39 increase
• Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 367 (increase of 4); Holden: 134 (increase of 1); Grafton: 106 (increase of 2); Leicester: 168 (increase of 2). All changes are from Thursday, Aug. 13.
• UMass Memorial Health Care and Saint Vincent Hospital, as of Wednesday, Aug. 19, have a combined total of 14 COVID-positive in-patients (decrease of 9) and 5 total COVID-positive ICU patients (decrease of 3). To date, the combined facilities have had 361 COVID-related deaths (increase of 4). A total of 396 employees have tested positive for the virus (increase of 4). All changes are from last week, Wednesday, Aug. 12.
• The Worcester Division of Public Health is investigating a recent off-campus gathering at an apartment on College Street being rented by Holy Cross students after one student had tested positive for COVID. That student and their close contacts were all interviewed and are now isolation. WDPH is working to contact other party attendees as it continues its investigation following Massachusetts Department of Public Health protocols.
• For the past several weeks, WDPH has been working closely with higher education institutions as well as public, private and Catholic schools throughout the City on reopening plans and the process for dealing with any COVID-positive student cases. This has involved group discussions and individual school meetings to ensure the safest possible transition for students as they return to school.
• The City continues to stress the importance of limiting the spread of COVID-19. Residents are reminded to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing and follow all state and local COVID protocols, including the Governor’s regulations for indoor and outdoor gatherings.
• Per the Governor, all travelers, including out-of-state visitors and in-state residents returning from out-of-state who do not meet an exemption, must quarantine for 14 days unless coming from an exempt, lower-risk state or can provide a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. It is the responsibility of the traveler to visit the state website and fill out a travel form. More information on the Governor’s travel order can be found here.
• Businesses are reminded that the City is continuing to conduct compliance checks in an attempt to ensure all COVID-19 protocols are being followed.
• Residents and business owners can stay informed on the Commonwealth Re-opening plan by visiting mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts.
• Free COVID-19 testing is available through the state’s “Stop the Spread” campaign. In Worcester, AIDS Project Worcester is providing testing at Worcester Technical High School, 1 Skyline Drive, on Friday, Aug. 21, 2-7 p.m. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 508-847-0623.
• For information about COVID-19, or to talk to a live nurse Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. call 508-799-1019. Information and links to resources may also be accessed at worcesterma.gov/coronavirus.
• Senior Center update: Number of seniors contacted to date: 16,579; Outreach phone calls made to seniors this week: 601; Number of meals delivered in Worcester this week: 5,582.
• The City is no longer holding weekly media briefings, but continues to monitor COVID-19 numbers and send out weekly updates.
