For Immediate Release: 8/5/2020 5:53 pm
The City of Worcester held a Media Briefing at City Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 5. This was the first in-person briefing since June 25.
There are 5,577 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester, an increase of 97 over last week, Wednesday, July 29.
The marks the the third consecutive week of increases in Worcester:
Since June 25, there have been 5,172 new positive cases.
Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 356 (increase of 10 from last week); Holden: 129 (increase of 2 from last week); Grafton: 102 (increase of 3 from last week); Leicester: 164 (increase of 5 from last week).
UMass Memorial Health Care and Saint Vincent Hospital had a combined total of 20 COVID-positive in-patients (increase of 8 from last week) and 5 total COVID-positive ICU patients (injcrease of 3 from last week). To date, the combined facilities have had 351 COVID-related deaths (no change from last week). A total of 387 employees have tested positive for the virus (increase of 4 from last week).
The Division of Public Health, reviewing COVID-positive cases from July 19-31, found a total of 16 cases involving employees or residents of long-term care facilities; 26 cases involving individuals 18 years of age or younger, and 23 clusters of family members with a total of 51 individuals residing in the same household.
The numbers show that family members are not immune to the virus, and should wear masks and practice social distancing whenever outside the household to limit the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
The City continues to receive complaints about numerous businesses, including not wearing masks or gloves, not practicing social distancing, and other concerns.
Since May 1, the City's Inspectional Services has recevied 240 complaints:
Other (laundry facilitiy, manufacturing, adult entertainment, body art): 22
Of those locations, 53 had repeat complaints.
A total of 338 complaint inspections/follow-up inspections have been conducted since May 1
Compliance checks are being conducted and will continue, with educational materials provided and warnings issued. Businesses will be fined if compliance is not obtained.
Free COVID testing, as part of the state's Stop The Spread campaign, was done Monday, Aug. 3, at the Main South Community Development Center. Of 680 tests, 4 were positive and 632 were negative. The remaining results are pending.
Starting Sunday, Aug. 9, and running through Friday, Aug. 14, AIDS Project Worcester will conduct free testing at the Greendal Mall (second parking lot). Testing at is by appointment only, and can be scheduled by calling 508-847-0623 or 508-755-3773.
Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 10-11, 13, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday and Friday, Aug. 12, 14, 2-7 p.m.
The City is working on plans for Emergency Dispensing Sites for when a COVID-19 vaccine is made available.
The City reminds residents that Flu season is around the corner, and encourages all individuals to receive a vaccine. The City is working on plans to offer testing to the general public, and the Senior Center is working in concert with the Division of Public Health on a drive-up flu clinic. An announcement will be made when those details are finalized.
The City reminds all residents that the numbers are trending in the wrong direction. Vigilance must be maintained, and folks are urged to wear face/coverings or masks, and to maintain social distancing. This is particularly important when going to parties, beaches, restaurants, and engaging in other social activities.
