Coronavirus

Current City of Worcester COVID-19 Status

For the latest data on the City's COVID-19 cases, wastewater, vaccination, hospitalization and deaths, please View Our Updated Dashboard.

On Friday, May 13, 2022, Worcester health officials issued a citywide mask advisory due to a surge in positive COVID-19 cases and rising coronavirus levels in regional wastewater. It is strongly recommended that all residents wear masks when indoors and around others. In addition, it is recommended that all eligible residents be up to date on vaccines and boosters, avoid crowded spaces when possible and get tested for COVID-19 when exhibiting symptoms. Read the Full Advisory Letter.

Face coverings continue to be required in Worcester's hospitals until further notice. Any other business, institution or organization may also enact its own mask requirement.

As of Friday, May 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies Worcester County's COVID-19 Community Level as High. Accordingly, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and on public transportation, staying up to date with vaccines, getting tested if you have symptoms and taking additional precautions if you are at high risk for severe illness. More information is available on the CDC's COVID-19 Community Level Website.

Resources:

• Mask Advisory Sign for Use by Worcester Businesses & Other Institutions - English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Portuguese | Albanian | Twi
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Mask Requirements
• CDC's Use and Care of Masks

COVID-19 Testing: Stop the Spread

Walk-Up Testing

As of Monday, March 21, the UMass Memorial Health clinic at the Mercantile Center offers free, walk-up testing two days a week. Days and times are listed below. Please see our Vaccination Information page for a fully updated schedule of vaccine/booster clinics.

COVID-19 Testing at Mercantile Center:

• Mondays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Self-Test Kits

The public can order free at-home COVID-19 tests from www.COVIDtests.gov.

In addition, the City of Worcester has distributed nearly 134,000 free at-home COVID-19 tests so far to residents since mid-December through more than 40 partner organizations focused on serving those hardest hit by the pandemic who might not otherwise have access to testing.

If you previously received an iHealth Labs OTC rapid antigen test kit from one of the City's partner organizations, please refer to instructions and additional information below:

• Video Instructions (Use "iHealth Rapid Antigen Test" Dropdown)
• COVID-19 Self-Test at Home Instructions
• COVID-19 Self-Test Additional Information

Vaccination Overview

The City of Worcester led by the Department of Health & Human Services and Division of Public Health is actively engaged in a city-wide effort with community partners to administer vaccines and boosters through mobile and stationary clinics and the homebound vaccination program. The City continues to prioritize vulnerable and isolated populations.

Am I Eligible?

All people age 5 and older who live, work or study in Massachusetts are eligible to receive a vaccine. People ages 5-17 can receive the Pfizer vaccine. People age 18 and older can receive any vaccine.

Want to learn more?

Find out how the City of Worcester is administering the COVID-19 vaccination.

Learn More - Vaccination Information

Guidance • Resources

Businesses & Restaurants • Learn More

Learn more about business continuity resources and small business assistance.

Individual Assistance • Help

Find assistance available to individuals including career continuity resources; how to file for unemployment; utility and pandemic unemployment assistance; evictions as well as how to cope with COVID-19.

COVID-19 Facts & Resources • Read More

The City of Worcester continues to work with and receive guidance from the CDC and the State of Massachusetts on how to treat possible cases and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to check out the following information to learn more about COVID-19.

"Mask-Up Gallery"

Below is a collection of protected, masked photos from the "I Am Worcester" Photo Project. Click on a thumbnail below to view a larger image and a profile for each resident:

View Full "Mask-Up" Gallery

Communications from the City Manager

• September 20, 2021 - Emergency Regulation Requiring Face Coverings Indoors City-Wide (Revised)
• September 17, 2021 - Executive Order Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination or Weekly Testing for All City Employees
• September 17, 2021 - Executive Order Regarding Mandatory Face Coverings in City Buildings (Revised)
• September 17, 2021 - Emergency Regulations Requiring Employers to Report Positive COVID-19 Cases (Revised)
• September 7, 2021 - Emergency Regulations Regarding Mask Mandate in All Public, Private, Parochial and Charter Schools (Revised)
• October 28, 2020 -Executive Order Extending Temporary Outdoor Dining
• April 22, 2020 - COVID-19 Data Sharing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force

• Press Releases
• Facebook