Worcester Marks 300 Coronavirus Deaths As Cases Surge

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester on Thursday marked perhaps the most grim day since the peak of the first wave of the pandemic in the spring: the 300th city resident has died of COVID-19, and the number of new cases doubled in just the past week alone.

But there may be worse days ahead: Worcester Medical Director Michael Hirsh described Normandy-like preparations going on inside the city's hospital to prepare for a rapid increase in hospitalizations. In-person visits and elective surgeries may end again soon in anticipation of a new wave, he said.

"We are not at a good place in the city of Worcester," City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said.

In raw numbers, Worcester added 518 cases since last Thursday — and just 119 cases on Thursday alone. At the UMass Memorial and St. Vincent hospitals, the number of people hospitalized due to the virus nearly tripled form 34 last week to 88 today. Intensive-care patients rose from 8 last week to 22 today.

The virus is roaring back across the region, state and nation. Massachusetts added over 2,600 new cases on Wednesday alone. But Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday the state is "nowhere near" the unprecedented first wave of the virus in the spring.

Worcester officials are not preparing to lock down, but they are increasingly asking residents to stay home as much as possible. Augustus also said families should also start thinking of how to stay safe over the Thanksgiving holiday, either by avoiding big gatherings or getting tested before attending. Worcester will host an extra free testing event the week of Nov. 16 to handle any upswing in demand.

Augustus asked residents to support local restaurants by getting takeout rather than eating in. Grocery store trips should be kept short and purposeful, he said. Officials are also reminding residents to wear masks and maintain distance — a mantra they've repeated at each weekly update.

"Really start thinking about ratcheting back your activities," Augustus said.