City of Worcester, MA

COVID-19 Update for March 15; Second Positive Case

For Immediate Release: 3/15/2020 6:02 pm

The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for March 15:

• The City continues to use all of its available resources to prevent the spread of this virus. ALL City departments are working together and are in constant communication with state and community partners as more information becomes available.
  
  
• The Emergency Operation Center remains up and running  to constantly monitor this situation and provide the latest information. As of Monday morning at 8:30 the EOC will be at FULL activation with representatives of ALL major city departments reporting here to this location.
  
  
• All City advisory board meetings will be discontinued until further notice. 
  
  
• Executive board and commission meetings (including City Council and School Committee meetings) will be presented virtually with NO public attendance permitted. Public participation will still be available through virtual means. All board and commission meetings will also be moved from City Hall’s Esther Howland Chamber to the Levi Lincoln Chamber to allow for the appropriate space concerns.
  
  
• The City has received notice of the second confirmed presumptive positive case of Coronavirus. The source of this case remains under investigation. This person is being monitored by the Worcester Division of Public Health and remains in isolation.
  
  
• Pertaining to the 5 persons under investigation by the Worcester Division of Public Health, 1 individual has tested negative and the 4 others are awaiting test results. The individuals associated with North High School and Chandler Magnet School are included in this group of 4 still awaiting test results. All 4 continue to be in isolation and monitored by WDPH.
  
  
• There are no other confirmed cases in Worcester at this time.
  
  
• The City Manager has declared a state of emergency in the City of Worcester. This is an additional executive measure to protect the overall health & safety of the community. This declaration allows the City to act swiftly and increase powers as circumstances warrant.
  
  
• The Executive Order issued last week has been amended to reduce the maximum number of attendees at City sponsored events and meetings from 50 to 25 people.
  
  
• All City owned playgrounds will be closed until further notice. 
  
  
• All City parks will remain open and we encourage residents to continue using our public, open spaces.
  
  
• All non-City employees such as volunteers and interns who would typically report to City facilities have been told to stay home until further notice. City Hall and all other city buildings remain open for the time being. All City operations will be reviewed and changes will be made if warranted.
  
  
• Daily media briefings will be held at the EOC at 5 p.m.
  
  
• The City of Worcester continues to provide the latest information at www.worcesterma.gov/coronavirus. We have also established an information line at 508-799-1019.