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