For Immediate Release: 5/28/2021 4:10 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for May 14:
• There are 23,720 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. This is an increase of 56 cases from Friday, May 21. This represents 29 fewer new cases than last week, when there were 85.
• Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 2,966 (increase of 6 from last Friday); Holden: 1,466 (increase of 1 from last Friday); Grafton: 1,186 (increase of 2 from last Friday)
• All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 23 total COVID-positive in-patients (increase of 5 from last week) and 8 total COVID-positive ICU patients (increase of 1 from last week). To date, their facilities have had 737 (increase of 4 from last week) total COVID-related deaths.
• To date, there have been 426 deaths of Worcester residents from COVID-19 (an increase of 2 from last week)
• According to the state Department of Public Health, a combined total of 175,577 doses (increase of 9,639 from last week) have been administered for Worcester. A total of 75,341 (roughly 41 percent of the population) have received their second dose and are fully vaccinated. A total of 100,236 (about 54 percent) have received their first dose.
• A total of 16,275 vaccination doses have been administered through the City’s Mobile Vaccination Clinics to 11,232 individuals. Of those vaccinations, 8,240 first doses, 5,043 second doses, and 2,992 single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been administered.
• As of Thursday, May 27, 82,631 doses had been administered through the Regional Vaccination site at Worcester State University.
• Health and Human Services staff and volunteers administered vaccinations in Worcester middle schools this week. A total of 760 first doses were administered students and their families this week (see breakdown below):
o Forest Grove Middle School: 136
o Sullivan Middle School: 149
o Claremont Middle School: 89
o University Park Campus School: 42
o Worcester East Middle School: 158
o Burncoat Middle School: 186
• Over the course of two weeks at Worcester Public Schools, a total of 1,617 doses were administered, including 857 high school students.
• A total of 213 doses were administered at a clinic held at Polar Park on Tuesday, May 25, and led by Health Commissioner Dr. Matilde Castiel and the Department of Health & Human Services.
• Mobile Clinics scheduled for next week:
o Tuesday, June 1: Girls Inc., 125 Providence St., 5-8 p.m. (no appointment necessary, available for individuals ages 12-up)
o Wednesday, June 2: Boys & Girls Club of Worcester “Bring a Buddy Clinic,” 65 Boys & Girls Club Way, 5-8 p.m. Youths returning for their second dose are encouraged to “bring a buddy” to receive their first dose. Any individual needing a first dose is also welcome to attend.
o Thursday, June 3: Lakeside Apartments (second doses)
• Next week, the City will announce dates for vaccination clinics open to the public that will be held at Worcester Public Library and open to the general public for all individuals ages 12-up.
• Find more information about the COVID-19 virus, and the City’s vaccination efforts, including the latest Mobile Vaccination Clinics, visit www.worcesterma.gov/coronavirus/vaccination.
• The vaccination site at Mercantile Center, which is run by UMass Memorial Health Care, is now accepting walk-ins, ages 12-up. No appointment is necessary from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The site is also still accepting appointments, from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Appointments can be made at www.mass.gov. Discounted parking is available in the Mercantile Center Garage.
• Free, walk-in COVID-19 testing offered by UMass Memorial Health Care will be available Thursday, June 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Mercantile Center, 201 Commercial St., Worcester (intersection of Commercial and Mechanic streets). For more locations around the state, visit www.mass.gov./info-details/stop-the-spread. The state has extended free Stop the Spread testing through Sept. 30.
• A total of 441 calls were made to seniors this week. The calls are a combination of wellness checks, assisting with vaccination appointments, and helping with other issues, such as accessing food, benefits and housing. Elder Services of Worcester Area delivered 5,415 meals to seniors. Since March 18, 2020, 42,026 senior contacts were made, providing reassurance, helping to meet basic needs, assisting with vaccination appointments, and much more. In addition, more than 175 remote programs were produced in collaboration with the Division of Cable Services, helping to connect seniors to reduce feelings of isolation during the pandemic.
• A reminder that, effective Saturday, May 29, all industries in Massachusetts will be allowed to open at full capacity. In addition, Gov. Charlie Baker’s order requiring masks to be worn will be rescinded, with a new face covering advisory put in place that is consistent with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Also effective Saturday, May 29, City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. will rescind the Order Requiring Employees of Essential Retail Businesses to Wear Face Coverings (Ordered April 14, 2020), the Order Requiring Customers of Essential Retail Businesses to Wear Face Coverings (Ordered April 17, 2020), and the Order Deferring the City of Worcester’s Transition into Phase III, Step 3 of the State’s Reopening Plan (Ordered Nov. 23, 3020).
• All residents and visitors in Worcester are reminded to follow state guidance, which recommends fully-vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors, except of in certain situations. Non-fully-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue social distancing in most settings.
• In addition, effective Tuesday, June 15, the same day Gov. Baker will lift his State of Emergency, City Manager Augustus will rescind his Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency as a result of the COVID pandemic. The order was originally issued March 15, 2020.
• At this time, City Manager Augustus is not rescinding his order Further Extending Temporary Outdoor Table Service. Gov. Baker this week filed legislation that, if passed, would extend the authority for cities and towns to approve outdoor dining and expanded liquor licensing through Nov. 29, 2021.
• The Massachusetts Homebound Vaccination Program is now available to any individual who faces difficulty getting to a vaccine site. Individuals can call 833-983-0485 to register for an in-home vaccination. The registration line is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is staffed by representatives who speak English and Spanish. Translation services are available in more than 100 languages.
• For the latest information on the status of COVID-19 and guidelines as well as vaccination eligibility in Massachusetts, visit www.mass.gov.
