Residents Urged to Resume Wearing Masks Indoors in Worcester

WORCESTER - The City of Worcester has issued an advisory urging residents to resume wearing mask indoors as new, positive cases of COVID-19 surges.

New cases reached their highest point since February and the level measured in regional wastewater, a historically accurate indicator of upcoming cases, has been reaching increasing levels.

Since reaching the lowest level in 2022 on March 12, the seven-day daily average of new, positive cases has risen steadily for eight straight weeks to 128.9. Hospitalization in the city's hospitals have also increased to 72 COVID-19 positive inpatients with 11 in intensive care.

To date, 534 Worcester residents have died as a result of COVD-19.

In an effort to mitigate the local surge, Worcester Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh, UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson, and Saint Vincent Hospital CEO Carolyn Jackson issued a joint statement to all Worcester residents, in which they specifically advise:

• Unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated as soon as possible
• Vaccinated individuals to stay up to date with their boosters
• Wearing a well-fitting mask indoors, particularly if you or someone you know has
  • increased risk of COVID-19 complications due to factors such as:
    Age (60 or older)
  • Immunocompromised or experiencing illness
  • Living with a chronic condition like lung disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or obesity
• Avoiding crowded spaces whenever possible
• If you attend, wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces (such as graduations or sporting or music events)
• When dining at a restaurant, wearing your mask as much as possible
• If you or a member of your household are feeling cold or flu symptoms, testing yourselves and staying home from work and school

Free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continue to be offered with no appointment necessary at standing clinics four days a week in Worcester:

• UMass Memorial Health clinic at the Mercantile Center (100 Front Street): Mondays, 11 AM to 4 PM and Thursdays, 10 AM to 3 PM (also offering PCR testing).
• Worcester Public Library: Wednesdays, 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturdays, 11 AM to 5 PM.