Recent Spike in COVID-19 Levels in Worcester’s Wastewater

WORCESTER – The City of Worcester is recommending residents take precautions as the COVID-19 levels in the city’s wastewater have spiked in recent days and the 7-day daily average of new positive COVID-19 cases stands at 35 as of July 15.

COVID-19 levels in wastewater are hovering around one million copies per liter of sewage at the beginning of  July before jumping to over four million in the most recently reported sample collected on July 11. This is the highest recorded level since the Omicron surge over the winter and rises in wastewater concentration are usually associated with corresponding increases in COVID-19 cases.

According to the City of Worcester, over the past four weeks, the seven-day daily average of new cases has fluctuated in the mid-30 range and has lingered at a level higher than the low levels in Worcester in March 2022.

Officials continue to advise Worcester residents to wear masks indoors as new Omicron sub-variants become dominant.

The number of COVID-19 positive inpatients at the city’s hospitals is 41, including five in ICU.  The city’s test positivity rate currently sits at 5.26%.

To date, 64% of city residents are now fully vaccinated and 75%  have received at least one dose. Of those fully vaccinated, 51%  have received a booster dose. A total of 538 Worcester residents have passed away due to COVID-19.

The City of Worcester is monitoring the potential impact of 4th of July gatherings and the city’s COVID-19 data dashboard is updated every Friday with the most recent numbers..

Several weekly walk-up clinics offering free vaccines and boosters have been renewed across Worcester:

• Central Community Branch YMCA (766 Main Street)
  Mondays, 11 AM to 7 PM
• UMass Memorial Health Mercantile Center Clinic (100 Front Street)
  Mondays, 11 AM to 4 PM and Thursdays, 10 AM to 3 PM
  Also offering PCR testing
• Worcester Public Library (3 Salem Square)
  Wednesdays, 11 AM to 7 PM  and Saturdays, 12 PM to 5 PM
  Residents are asked to note the new start time on Saturdays

A full schedule of vaccine and booster clinics around the city can be found at worcesterma.gov/coronavirus/vaccination. Individuals ages six months and older are now eligible for vaccination, and doses for all ages will be available at the city’s clinics.