Health & Fitness
Worcester Sees 'Amazing' Number Of New Coronavirus Cases
Worcester has added 2,000 cases in one week, and that's not counting positive results from at-home tests.
WORCESTER, MA — Omicron has officially arrived in Worcester and with it an "amazing" number of new confirmed coronavirus cases — numbers not seen since the pandemic began nearly two years ago, officials said Wednesday.
Worcester added 2,040 cases over the week ending Dec. 29, which is likely an undercount. City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said those new case counts do not reflect positive results from at-home rapid tests that have been given out over the past two weeks.
"That number could be 50 to 100 percent higher," he said of the total new cases.
Worcester Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh called the new cases a "bigger surge than we've ever seen before."
City officials announced new measures on Wednesday amid the rise in cases. Starting Feb. 1, all city employees will be required to get a booster shot within 14 days of becoming eligible. If they refuse, they must take frequent tests. Worcester will also move the Jan. 3 inauguration of new elected officials to a hybrid event with only family members allowed.
Municipal buildings will shift to a 25 percent maximum capacity. And high school sports games will only allow family members as spectators.
Worcester has also seen a notable number of new COVID-19 deaths: seven since the last coronavirus press conference on Dec. 10. That number is also up from 453 in late October.
UMass Memorial infectious disease physician Dr. Richard Ellison said Wednesday the hospital is busier than he's ever seen in 30 years. Omicron, which could soon account for 80 percent of all coronavirus cases, is mild illness for healthy people who have been vaccinated. But it's more serious for people with medical conditions like cancer and heart disease.
"Protecting that population is very important," Ellison said.
Coronavirus cases have been reaching some of the highest levels of the pandemic in recent weeks statewide, and health officials do not believe the omicron peak will come until mid-to-late January. Massachusetts hit 1 million cases since the pandemic began on Tuesday.
Want a coronavirus vaccine in Worcester? Visit the city website to find upcoming clinics.
