COVID-19 Update for March 20; Seven Positive Cases
For Immediate Release:
3/20/2020 5:59 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for March 20:
- As of March 20, there are 2 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 to report in the City of Worcester. There are now 7 overall positive cases in Worcester. There are a total of 20 positive cases in Worcester County.
- All 7 individuals are being monitored by the Worcester Division of Public Health and remain in isolation.
- In accordance with Governor Charlie Baker's briefing on March 20, there is no shelter in place order or quarantine order at this time for Massachusetts, including Worcester.
- The sheltering plan for the adult homeless population in Worcester has begun. The shelter at North High School opened today at 4 p.m.
- North High School is one of two sites that will be up and running for this weekend. Worcester Technical High School at 1 Skyline Drive will be online Saturday, March 21.
- Two additional sites will come online next week: Ascension Church at 44 Vernon Street; and St. John’s Church at 44 Temple Street.
- The City is partnering with the local medical community and WDPH to staff and supply the shelters with the necessary items. The following shelter items were received today: 300 comfort kits from the Salvation Army; the Worcester Fire Department and the Worcester Police Department each received 400 more n95 masks.
- The City is preparing for the next phase of sheltering for the medical overflow community and is coordinating with the Family Health Center to screen individuals prior to entering a shelter facility.
- In accordance with the state, the City will begin testing first responders at a designated testing site. This will include Worcester Firefighters, Worcester Police Officers and 9-1-1 dispatchers.
- The Worcester Together fund has raised a total of $1.9 million. The Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF) fund has raised $1.25 million. The United Way fund has raised $670,000. The George I. Alden Trust has given $500,000 each to the GWCF and United Way, for a total of $1 million.
- Together with MassHire, and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, the City has helped launch an online platform to connect residents with employers who have urgent non-medical COVID-19 staffing needs. This is a quick and easy way to connect low-risk people looking to work (including those who’ve been laid off) with area employers during this crisis. Employers and job seekers can now access this platform at masshirecentral.com.
- The Worcester Public Schools free Healthy Meals to Go feeding program has provided 2,600 meals this week to children/families in need. The schedule is available here.
- The Worcester Fire Department (WFD) is asking residents, landlords and those who own property to be keenly aware of the dangers of smoking outside their homes. Specifically, two recent fires have highlighted the dangers of smoking on porches. Understanding people may be less mobile now, and staying at home more as a result of COVID-19, the WFD strongly encourages residents to be mindful of the dangers of smoking on their porches.
- Our COVID-19 information line can be reached at 508-799-1019. This service is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Albanian. There is now an option for individuals with positive or pending test results to speak live with a nurse, Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm. As of 6 p.m. on March 20, there have been approximately 1,000 total calls with 86 calls connected live to a nurse.
