City of Worcester, MA

COVID-19 Update For May 21; 3,760 Positive Cases

For Immediate Release: 5/21/2020 5:30 pm

The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for May 21:

• There are 3,760 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester. This is an increase of 99 cases from Wednesday, May 20.
  
  
• Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 3,580 new cases (average of 70 new cases per day).
  
  
• Positive case counts in surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 256; Holden: 71; Grafton: 78; Leicester: 124; Millbury: 203 
  
  
• All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 239 total COVID-positive in-patients and 88 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 238 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 296 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
  
  
• Beaumont Rehabilitation census: 67 positive inpatients (2 admissions, 6 discharges); Total treated: 171 (80 beds available).
  
  
• Online Memorial Day Program: Residents are reminded to tune in to the City of Worcester's online Memorial Day program on Monday, May 25 at 3 p.m. via the City Government Channel (Spectrum 192) or online at worcesterma.gov/video-on-demand or the City of Worcester Facebook page. 
  
  
• Updated Guide for Real Estate Professionals – Open Houses: These new guidelines for open houses are effective immediately: All open houses in the City of Worcester are to allow no more than 5 people inside the property at one time. (If more than 5 people are on the property at once, agent should stagger indoor access to no more than 5 people.) Agents should have protective face coverings and gloves available to all people entering the property. Limit property showings to qualified and interested buyers with immediate housing needs. Sellers should be advised to thoroughly clean all surfaces including door knobs, cabinet handles, appliances, etc. after property showings. All persons viewing the property must have a protective face covering when in the property. Have sellers open all doors prior to showings to limit buyers opening and closing doors. Establish an “eyes only” policy for buyers - No touching of surfaces. No use of bathrooms. No flyers or other paper based material should be handed out. (Direct all inquiries to online or emailed resources.) No handshaking. Ask all clients prior to entering home if they have recently traveled or are sick. Contact Worcester Fire Prevention Division at 508- 799-1822 for scheduling of smoke/CO inspections. Monitor the Massachusetts Registry website for the operational status of the Registry of Deeds.
  
  
• The Worcester Together Fund has raised in excess of $6.7 million. The second round of grants is currently open. Phase II recovery grant applications are now available to local nonprofits. Grants will typically range from $25,000 to $100,000. The deadline to apply at greaterworcester.org is June 8. To donate to the Worcester Together Fund, please visit: worcesterma.gov/coronavirus or text worcestercovid19 to 243725.
  
  

• Worcester Economic Recovery Taskforce: Today Mayor Petty announced the formation of the Worcester Economic Recovery Taskforce, a coalition of businesses and executives focused on creating the best practices for the reopening of businesses in the city and seizing possible economic opportunities that may arise over the coming months. Working in conjunction with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and WBDC, the steering committee is made up of leaders from arious sectors of the economy including the non-profit sector, manufacturing, and development. The steering committee will host representatives of the various subcommittees. Each of the individual subcommittees will represent different parts of the Worcester economic sectors. The purpose of the subcommittees is to share best practices, discuss guidance from the City and state, and explore possible collaborations for things like group purchasing for PPE.

• Senior Center update: Number of seniors contacted to date: 8,458; Outreach phone calls made to seniors today: 259; Number of meals delivered in Worcester today: 1,117.
  
  
• Today, the City Manager recognized another unsung hero within the City workforce: Michele Williams, Administrative Assistant, in the Division of Public Health. Michele is the “glue” that keeps the Division of Public Health together. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Michele has taken hundreds of calls and emails from concerned residents seeking information about COVID-19. In addition to managing schedules for the leadership and providing administrative support including burial permits and death certificates, Michele has taken on additional responsibilities such as payroll and other budgetary responsibilities as WDPH staff were reassigned to support the EOC. This is Michele’s second time being employed with the City. The first time she served more than 8 years as a clerk supporting the Department of Health and Human Services through 2007 and then returned to the Division of Public Health in 2017 as a principle clerk. 
  
  
• The City of Worcester COVID-19 information line can be reached at 508-799-1019. Individuals can speak live with a nurse, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  
  
• The next media briefing will be held on Tuesday, May 26 at 4:30 p.m. in the third floor hallway of City Hall. Beginning Tuesday, the briefings will move from a daily schedule to a Tuesday/Thursday schedule. The City will continue to release updated information on COVID-19 case counts.