COVID-19 Update For May 13; 3,082 Positive Cases
For Immediate Release:
5/13/2020 4:57 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for May 13:
- There are 3,082 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. This is an increase of 81 cases from Tuesday, May 12.
- Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 2,902 new cases (average of 67 new cases per day).
- Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 235; Holden: 66; Grafton: 68; Leicester: 111; Millbury: 186
- All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 250 total COVID-positive in-patients and 98 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 193 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 264 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
- The field hospital site at the DCU Center has 10 patients today.
- Beaumont Rehabilitation census: 69 positive inpatients (4 admissions, 5 discharges); Total treated: 156 (78 beds available).
- Quality Inn Census: the state-run facility for COVID-19 positive individuals at the Quality Inn had 10 patients as of 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
- As a reminder, the statewide face covering order remains in effect. This is true of anyone who is out in public and cannot socially distance themselves. This applies to all retail stores and employees.
- This Friday (after 40 days) the City will conclude its sponsored lunch program for City employees working within the Emergency Response Operation. (A majority of the staffing is being transferred to other locations in the city.) This includes the EOC, Senior Center and City Hall. The City would like to thank the 19 different individuals, businesses and organizations that provided lunches from 22 different Worcester-based restaurants. Not only did this program feed essential City staff, but local restaurants got some much needed and greatly appreciated business. The City Manager thanked Mike LeBlanc of PremaTech, City Councilor Matt Wally and Mike Marchand of the Roy Funeral Home/Webster Square Business Association for their involvement with the program. Phil Niddrie from the City's Executive Office of Economic Development also helped coordinate the program.
- The Worcester Together Fund has raised in excess of $6 million. The fund has given out $1.3 million in grants. The fund received a gift of $10,000 from Verizon today. To donate, please visit: worcesterma.gov/coronavirus or text worcestercovid19 to 243725.
- Senior Center update: Number of seniors contacted to date: 7,266; Outreach phone calls made to seniors today: 188; Number of meals delivered in Worcester today: 1,183
- Today, the City Manager recognized another group of unsung heroes in the City workforce: the Worcester Police Department. This is especially timely with this week being recognized as National Police Week (May 10-May 16). Chief Sargent and the men and women of the Worcester PD work hard everyday to make Worcester as safe as it can be. That work has not stopped due to COVID-19. Officers are still responding to calls for service and are working with the community to maintain positive relationships. If officers observe violations of the Governor’s mandatory mask order, they are encouraged to hand out masks to the violators. The focus is on educating the public about the use of masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The masks provided by officers are used as a community policing tool to gain compliance. Citations can be issued as a last resort. So far, there has been a positive response. The Neighborhood Response Team continues to conduct neighborhood meetings virtually via Zoom. As identified in this week’s report to City Council, in March and April there have been overall declines in both property crime and violent crime. These crime stats have been and will continue to be closely reviewed during the pandemic to better understand how the virus is impacting both law enforcement and the community. WPD also continues to monitor domestic violence incidents since cases have increased globally due to the pandemic. Worcester police detectives have been working with their community partners to protect those at risk.
- The City of Worcester COVID-19 information line can be reached at 508-799-1019. Individuals can speak live with a nurse, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
