City of Worcester, MA

COVID-19 Update for April 30; 2,071 Positive Cases

For Immediate Release: 4/30/2020 5:33 pm

• There are 2,071 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. This is an increase of 82 cases.
  
  
• Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 1,955 new cases (average of 65 new cases per day).
  
  
• Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 169; Holden: 46; Grafton: 55; Leicester: 90; Millbury: 147 
  
  
• There are 5 positive cases to date in the Worcester Police Department and 6 positive cases to date in the Worcester Fire Department. A total of 7 WPD officers are out (2 positive cases are quarantined; 7 other officers are self-quarantined). No Worcester firefighters are out.
  
  
• All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 269 total COVID-positive in-patients and 107 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 106 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 172 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
  
  
• The homeless shelter at the DCU Center has 33 positive clients today. Between three to five clients are projected to be discharged today. The DCU had 18 non-homeless medical patients today.
  
  
• Beaumont Rehabilitation census: 65 positive patients are currently at the Beaumont facility (4 admissions today; 8 discharges today). 
  
  
• Testing: The City along with UMass Memorial and Worcester EMS have coordinated testing at several locations in the City this week: 58 residents of The Albion were tested by Worcester EMS yesterday, 4/29. A total of 18 residents tested positive for COVID-19. Clients of the SMOC shelter at 25 Queen Street are being tested today, 4/30, by Worcester EMS.
  
  
• The City issued a cease and desist order to Walmart at 25 Tobias Boland Way yesterday after becoming aware Wednesday morning that a number of employees had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. After the city's Inspectional Services Department visited the location, the store was closed by 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon. Walmart has operated in full compliance with the order to close and had a professional cleaning company clean the store overnight on Wednesday. Testing of approximately 400 Walmart employees is currently underway by Worcester EMS. Results are typically available within 24 hours. Approximately 275 employees will be tested by the end of today. The rest of the employees are scheduled to be tested tomorrow morning. Per the order, the store cannot reopen until any employees who would be scheduled to work are tested and the results are obtained. The City Medical Director would then sign off and Walmart could determine when it will reopen to the public.
  
  
• Pets and COVID-19: Recent reports suggest pets can contract the virus that causes COVID-19, that it can spread from people to animals in some situations. The CDC is now issuing recommendations and advisories related to pets and COVID. The CDC recommends social distancing for dogs, cats and other animals. Cats should stay inside if possible, and when walking dogs, keep them at least six feet away from other animals and people. The CDC also advises it is best to avoid dog parks and other public places where lots of people and dogs gather. As such, today the City Manager has ordered all three dog parks in the City of Worcester closed until further notice. The Parks Department has closed the parks today and has put up signage. At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. The risk of animals spreading the virus to people is considered to be low. People should take precautions around pets when or if they suspect they are sick. If sick or in isolation, extend that to pets. For more information about COVID-19 and animals, visit cdc.gov.

• The Worcester Together Fund has raised more than $5.8 million in five weeks, distributing almost $850,000 in grants to area agencies and organizations. Worcester Together recently received a gift of $470,000 from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund as well as a gift of $25,000 from Country Bank. City of Worcester employees have raised more than $3,500 for the fund to date. The FaceMask Challenge has raised $10,743 with 218 donors. To donate to the fund, visit worcesterma.gov/coronavirus or text worcestercovid19 to 243725.
  
  
• Senior update: Number of seniors contacted to date: 5,556; Number of outreach calls made today: 274; Number of meals delivered today: 1,015.
  
  
• The City of Worcester COVID-19 information line can be reached at 508-799-1019. There is an option for individuals to speak live with a nurse, Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm. 
  
  
• Today, the City Manager honored another unsung hero within the City workforce, Mike Glaser. Mike joined the city just a few months ago in December as a Data Officer in the newly-established Office of Urban Innovation. In that capacity he performs data and predictive analytics as well as performance metrics. When the COVID-19 crisis struck, Mike was assigned to our Emergency Operations Center on Coppage Drive. There, he manages any and all data related to the EOC operation. A Maryland native, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Notre Dame University, where both his parents also went to school. He got his master’s degree from Clark University. He also served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone. In short order, Mike has become a vital member of the City team, and like so many others, leapt into action as needed to help deal with the coronavirus.