The city of Worcester’s seven-day daily average of new positive COVID-19 cases has doubled, reaching 25, after hitting its lowest point since last July in March.
The last time the city released COVID numbers, on March 11, officials announced the average had fallen to 12.6, its lowest point since July 2021.
Worcester’s hospitalizations have remained consistent with previous weeks with a total of 26 COVID-positive inpatients, four of which are in intensive care units, city officials announced Friday.
The city’s test positivity rate currently sits at .73%, and COVID levels in wastewater continue to fluctuate, according to the city.
A total of 527 Worcester residents have now died due to COVID, the city said.
As of April 1, 62% of city residents are fully vaccinated and 73% have received at least one dose. Of those fully vaccinated, 48% have now received a booster dose, which is three percentage points ahead of the state average, city officials said.
The city continues to move forward with its plan to drop its vaccination verification policy and no longer require employees who are not vaccinated or, not up-to-date on their vaccines, to submit to weekly COVID testing beginning May 15.
Worcester continues to offer free COVID vaccines and boosters with no appointment necessary at standing clinics four days a week:
- UMass Memorial Health clinic at the Mercantile Center: Mondays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (also offering PCR testing)
- Worcester Public Library: Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Beginning Wednesday, April 6, any resident who receives a vaccine or booster dose at the library clinic will receive free masks and rapid, at-home tests while supplies last.
Next week, four clinics will be held in partnership with the Worcester Housing Authority for residents at specific complexes. Each clinic runs from 2 – 4 p.m., and anyone who gets a vaccine dose will receive a grocery gift card. Locations include:
- Monday, April 4: Murray and Wellington Apartments
- Tuesday, April 5: Elm Park Towers
- Thursday, April 7: Webster Square Towers East
- Friday, April 8: Webster Square Towers West
Although the standing Worcester Senior Center clinic has concluded, the center will host two clinics this month on Friday, April 15 and Friday, April 22, both from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Grocery gift cards will also be available to individuals who receive a vaccine dose at those two clinics.
A new biweekly clinic will begin at Rock of Salvation Pentecostal Church on Friday, April 15 and run through May from 5 – 7 p.m. every other Friday. Other special clinics open to the public this month include:
- Saturday, April 9: First Congregational Church, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Saturday, April 16: Reliant Medical Center, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Sunday, April 24: Pentecost International Worship Center, 12:30 – 3 p.m.
- Saturday, April 30: Central Community Branch YMCA, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Saturday, April 30: Latin Business Expo at the DCU Center, 12 – 4 p.m.
A full, up-to-date schedule of vaccine and booster clinics around the city can be found at worcesterma.gov/coronavirus/vaccination.
Related Content:
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- Holyoke Community College to lift mask mandate next month
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