Fitchburg Arena Outfitted As Morgue During Coronavirus Outbreak

FITCHBURG, MA — Several state agencies are setting up a temporary mortuary at a Fitchburg State University arena in case coronavirus deaths overwhelm the medical system, according Mayor Stephen DiNatale.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said that the area near Landry Arena — a former ice rink now used as an athletic training center — will be home to refrigerator trucks that can preserve human remains.

DiNatale said that the temporary morgue could save lives by relieving the burden on Worcester County funeral homes and medical facilities.

"This temporary facility will provide increased short-term capacity for cities, towns, and medical facilities, if necessary in the event of an increase in decedents or a decrease in the mortuary workforce," he said in a statement. "If these short-term storage services become necessary, the public health benefits will save lives here and across Massachusetts."

Gov. Charlie Baker has said that coronavirus cases in Massachusetts may surge beginning around April 7. At the federal level, health officials are bracing for between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths nationwide.

On Wednesday, 33 more Massachusetts residents died of complications related to COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 122. There are now more than 7,000 people in the state with confirmed COVID-19.