Worcester Opening Homeless Shelters To Stop Coronavirus Spread

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester marked its fifth positive coronavirus case on Thursday, and officials are now turning their attention to keeping the virus from spreading in the city's homeless population.

City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said Thursday that the city will open four new shelters in the coming days. Each one will shelter 25 people, which is in line with social distancing guidelines.

The first two shelters will open at North High School and Worcester Technical High School this weekend. Two more will open at Ascension Church along Vernon Street and St. John's Catholic Church along Temple Street by early next week. The shelters will be staffed, and will have showers and other amenities.

"We need to help the homeless comply with the best advice and guidance of health professionals," Augustus said Thursday.

In announcing Worcester's fifth positive COVID-19 case, Augustus highlighted that six more people in Worcester County have tested positive, including residents in Charlton and Rutland. Those six people, he said, work in Worcester, and so those cases may have an impact locally.

Augustus also reminded Worcester residents that playgrounds across the city are closed, although parks are still open. He also highlighted penalties for restaurants that defy Gov. Charlie Baker's ban on dining in at restaurants and bars.