COVID-19 Update for March 26; 38 Positive Cases
For Immediate Release:
3/26/2020 5:47 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for March 26:
- There are 11 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. There are now 38 overall confirmed positive cases in Worcester. All 38 individuals are being monitored by the Worcester Division of Public Health and are in isolation.
- Today the City Manager visited the Division of Public Health and met with public health and Worcester Public Schools nurses who have been answering calls and monitoring patients during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Hospitals, shelters and first responders are looking for the following items: face masks (Surgical & N95); Personal Protective Equpment (PPE); personal care Items, disinfectant cleaners for shelters, Sheets and towels. To help out in this time of need, please visit worcesterma.gov/coronavirus (under “Need Assistance”) for complete details, along with face mask sewing instructions and a video.
- Worcester Pulbic Schools (WPS) nurses have been a tremendous help in assisting the city’s public health nurses, particularly with phone calls. There are hundreds of phone calls and emails coming into the Division of Public Health every day. A tracking log has been established to capture inquiries. WPS nurses have assisted in returning many of those calls. A WPS nurse is on hand at the Division of Public Health to answer calls to the city’s COVID-19 information line.
- There have been no issues with non-compliance from those currently self-quarantining or self-isolating. Public health nurses have been checking with each person under investigation twice a day to monitor their symptoms and temperature.
- The Baker-Polito Administration has announced steps to keep vulnerable families in their homes, preserve the health and safety of low-income renters and homeowners, and prevent homelessness due to reduced or lost income. Of note: MassHousing is transferring $5 million to the Department of Housing and Community Development for a COVID-19 Rental Assistance for Families in Transition fund to assist families facing rent insecurity. The Division of Banks has also issued new guidance to Massachusetts financial institutions and lenders urging them to provide relief for borrowers and will advocate for a 60-day stay on behalf of all homeowners facing imminent foreclosure on their homes.
- As a reminder, there is information posted on COVID-19 local bank policies available at worcesterma.gov/coronavirus.
- To donate to the Worcester Together fund, please visit the City of Worcester COVID-19 page at: worcesterma.gov/coronavirus. Fallon Health donated $25,000 to the fund today. Two prominent health foundations have also committed a total of more than $200,000 today - the Fallon/OrNda Community Health Fund and the Fairlawn Foundation Fund. A text line has been established for donations. Text “worcestercovid19” to 243725, then click on the link you’re sent and follow the instructions to donate. To date, the fund stands at $2.2 million.
- Through the Worcester Senior Center, the City has made outreach to 1,121 seniors to date. A total of 185 outreach phone calls were made to seniors today. A total of 892 meals were delivered to seniors today in Worcester by Elder Services of Worcester Area.
- The City of Worcester COVID-19 information line can be reached at 508-799-1019. This service is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Albanian. We have an option for individuals to speak live with a nurse, Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm. The line has received more than 1,800 calls with more than 240 connected to a live nurse.
