For Immediate Release: 12/30/2020 4:54 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update:
To date, there have been 14,534 overall confirmed positive cases in Worcester. That is an increase in 772 cases since the City’s last COVID update on Thursday, Dec. 24.
There were 335 new cases today, the highest single-day increase the City has recorded during the COVID-19 crisis.
Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 1,534 (increase of 153); Holden: 729 (increase of 76); Grafton: 564 (increase of 32); Leicester: 576 (increase of 41).
UMass Memorial Health Care and Saint Vincent Hospital, as of Thursday, Dec. 24, have a combined total of 276 COVID-positive in-patients (increase of 29) and 67 total COVID- positive ICU patients (increase of 3). To date, the combined facilities have had 469 COVID-related deaths (increase of 23). A total of 1,285 employees have tested positive for the virus (increase of 101). All changes are from last week’s report.
There have been 329 deaths of Worcester residents, an increase of 7 since last week.
There were 43 positive in-patients at the DCU Field Hospital as of today.
City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. today announced the City of Worcester will be taking the lead on a regional Emergency Dispensing Super Site to vaccinate first responders. The site will be at a facility in Worcester, and will support vaccinations of first responders in Worcester and members of the Regional Health Alliance: Shrewsbury, Millbury, Leicester, Holden, Grafton and West Boylston. The city expects to receive those doses by mid-January.
To date, our hospitals systems (UMass Memorial Health Care and Saint Vincent) have administered nearly 6,000 combined vaccinations to employees. Saint Vincent has administered 2,319 doses of the Phizer vaccine to about 85-90 percent of their employees. UMass administered 3,500 vaccinations so far.
The City Manager reminds folks, with New Year’s Eve around the corner, of the danger for increased spread in large gatherings. People should gather and celebrate only with members of their immediate household. No restaurants or bars will be open past 10 p.m. Residents are encouraged to order take-out or delivery from local establishment, and enjoy the food at home on New Year’s Eve.
The UMass Memorial Health Care COVID-19 Equity Task Force and the City of Worcester jointly sponsor free, walk-up COVID-19 testing. Below are upcoming dates for testing. All testing is held indoors at Mercantile Center, 201 Commercial St
Monday, Jan. 4, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 7, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 11, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 14, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The City continues to urge all residents to reimagine their holiday celebrations. You can find tips on how to safely celebrate the holidays this y ear on our website, www.worcesterma.gov, as well as on the state website, www.mass.gov.
On behalf of the City of Worcester, Mayor Joseph M. Petty and City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. wish all residents a Happy New Year!
