Health & Fitness
Worcester COVID-19 Rate Hits Recent High As City Urges Vaccination
With coronavirus, RSV and flu at high levels, officials are urging residents to take precautions before the holidays.
WORCESTER, MA — The daily average number of new COVID-19 cases in Worcester hit a recent high at the end of last week, prompting calls from local health officials for residents to take precautions like wearing masks and getting vaccinated.
Worcester's 7-day average of new daily coronavirus cases hit 40.4 on Friday, the highest weekly number since August. COVID-19 isn't the only virus circulating: flu levels are "very high" in Massachusetts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Worcester 7-day average of new daily flu cases hit 35.1 on Friday, according to city health officials.
Worcester does not have a mask mandate in place, but is strongly recommending residents wear masks in public to help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
"Spread of all three viruses can be prevented by wearing masks when indoors and around others and staying home when sick," the Division of Public Health said in a news release. "Flu and RSV can also be limited by frequently washing hands with soap and water and cleaning infected surfaces. Vaccines continue to offer the most protection from both COVID-19 and the flu and can prevent serious illness and death."
Worcester has two state-sponsored COVID-19 vaccine clinics that offer $75 gift cards to anyone who gets a shot:
- Central Community Branch YMCA, 766 Main St. — Mondays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square — Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays noon to 5 p.m. (but not Christmas Eve)
Flu shots are available widely in the Worcester area. Find locations and times here. There is no RSV vaccine available yet.
