For Immediate Release: 5/3/2020 5:58 pm
The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for May 3:
• There are 2,386 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. This is an increase of 89 cases from Saturday, May 2.
• Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 2,272 new cases (average of 69 new cases per day).
• Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 189; Holden: 57; Grafton: 56; Leicester: 97. (Millbury: 150 as of Friday, May 1)
• There are no new cases within the Worcester Police Department and Worcester Fire Department. There are 5 positive cases to date in the Worcester Police Department and 6 positive cases to date in the Worcester Fire Department.
• All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 269 total COVID-positive in-patients and 103 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 124 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 188 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
• Walmart at 25 Tobias Boland Way, where a total of 81 employees have tested positive for COVID-19, is prepping for reopening for a date yet to be determined.
• The City Manager expressed his disappointment in the decision by the pastor of the Adams Square Baptist Church on Lincoln Street to hold public worship services today. The church is believed to have violated the Governor’s order prohibiting public gathering of more than 10 people. The pastor will be presented with a $300 civil fine tomorrow as a result.
• The Mayor today announced Worcester Public Schools will hold virtual graduations this year. The school system will pay for all graduation gowns, tassels and caps for each graduating senior. Those will be sent to each student’s home address. Details are currently being worked out.
• To date, the Worcester Together fund has raised more than $5.8 million. Clark University has donated $5,000. Every college and university within the College Consortium has now donated to the fund. In addition, the Worcester Facemask Challenge, which the Mayor kicked off last week, has raised almost $11,000 from more than 200 donors. Donate to the fund at worcesterma.gov/coronavirus or text “worcestercovid19” to 243725.
• Today, the City Manager recognized Bob Borski as an unsung hero in the City’s workforce. Bosrki has worked for the Technical Services Department more than 28 years. He serves as a Technical Support Manager. A technological guru, he is responsible for implementing and supporting all technological aspects of the City. He has been especially helpful during the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, he sprang into action to ensure many city employees could work from remotely. Bob and his team also immediately activated and continue to support technology at the City’s Emergency Operations Center on Coppage Drive. They also set up and configured backup Police and Fire dispatch call centers, should they be needed. The City thanks Bob and the Technical Services Department for all the good work they do year-round, and for their efforts in this time of crisis.
• The next City of Worcester COVID-19 media briefing will be held Monday, May 4 at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall (Levi Lincoln Chamber, third floor).
