Health & Fitness
Mask-Up Worcester: 3 Viruses Circulating, Officials Warn
"Face coverings are also recommended for all residents while indoors and around others," Worcester officials said in a bulletin Monday.
WORCESTER, MA — Officials in Worcester are advising residents to start wearing face coverings while indoors and in crowded spaces — and this season, it's due to three separate respiratory viruses circulating.
On top of COVID-19, officials are warning of a"spike" in respiratory syncytial virus cases, and a potentially bad flu season in the making.
"While most affected people recover in one to two weeks, infants, young children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems are susceptible to serious illness, including bronchitis and pneumonia," a city bulletin said about an "uncharacteristic" rise in RSV cases locally.
Health officials say parents should consider masking children age 2 and older, and for anyone in contact with high-risk groups.
"Face coverings are also recommended for all residents while indoors and around others, and while in crowded outdoor public spaces and events to reduce the risk of flu and COVID-19. As with RSV, flu poses a particular risk to children, older adults, and individuals with chronic health conditions," the bulletin said.
According to city data, Worcester added about 160 COVID-19 cases over the week ending Oct. 28. Local wastewater data is also showing a lower amount of the virus compared to earlier in October. Flu activity was low last week in Massachusetts, according to the Centers for Disease Control — but flu activity is much higher in nearby states, including New Jersey and New York.
Local residents can get protection against flu and COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. And through Dec. 19, and resident who gets a coronavirus vaccine will get a $75 gift card. Here's where you can get a vaccination each week:
- Central Community Branch YMCA, 766 Main St. — Mondays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- UMass Memorial Mercantile Center Clinic, 100 Front St. — Mondays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square — Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m.
- AIDS Project Worcester, 165 Southbridge Street, Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Worcester is so far only recommending residents wear masks. Worcester last put a mask mandate in place in September 2021, but lifted it in February as cases linked to the coronavirus omicron surge began to decline.
