Health & Fitness
Worcester Preparing For Winter Coronavirus 'Explosion': Augustus
The city manager says Worcester has an equipment stockpile, a new program for evictions and foreclosures and a vaccine distribution plan.
WORCESTER, MA — With a possible coronavirus surge on the horizon this winter, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. briefed the City Council Tuesday night on preparations the city is making to confront it.
At-large Councilor Morris Bergman asked Augustus for an overview of the preparations following several weeks of increasing cases in Worcester. The city was added to the state's "high-risk" list on Sept. 17, and cases have been steadily rising since.
"Worcester's numbers, they are warning sign," Bergman said. "There might be an explosion coming in our numbers."
Augustus highlighted several things the city is doing to prepare for a second wave. City departments have stockpiled personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies — enough to last months if need be, he said.
Next week, Augustus will present a new program to City Council aimed at preventing a tide of evictions and foreclosures in case of widespread job losses. The state's eviction moratorium expires on Oct. 17, and it does not appear Gov. Charlie Baker will extend it. Baker did announce a $171 million Eviction Diversion Initiative on Monday.
Augustus also said the city has a plan to distribute a vaccine when one is available. City officials have been discussing vaccine distribution since the summer with eight working groups handling parts of the plan, from security to volunteer recruitment. Augustus said Tuesday local medical personnel would likely get the vaccine first, and then residents.
"We'll do so in a way to make sure all members of the community have access to it," he said.
Worcester is also focusing on flu vaccines this fall to prevent a "twindemic" from overwhelming hospitals. The city's free coronavirus testing sites have also been giving out free flu shots.
The city is also sending outreach workers into neighborhoods and parks to talk to people about how to prevent the virus. That program rolled out over the weekend.
Augustus' comments reflect a Baker press conference on Tuesday where the governor talked about the state's "strong position" ahead of winter. State and local governments — and medical facilities — were left scrambling last spring when the first surge hit.
"It really is an all-hands-on-deck approach," Augustus said Tuesday.
