Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
For the second straight week, Worcester County has set a new mark for the highest number of new coronavirus cases in a week, this time beating the previous record by 10%.
Worcester County recorded 2,365 new weekly cases, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported Friday, a slightly less steep week-to-week increase than earlier in November but nonetheless the highest seven-day number of cases yet recorded for the county.
Massachusetts also set the same high mark, with 17,766 new weekly cases. The state's total now stands at 207,284, the state reported Friday. Worcester County has had 23,611 cases since the pandemic began.
Worcester County's COVID death toll now stands at 1,261, with 33 newly reported deaths in the past week. Deaths, typically a lagging indicator a few weeks behind a spike in cases, has not risen to nearly the same levels as during the spring peak, with health officials crediting a better knowledge of how the virus works as well as a generally younger demographic getting the virus that's less likely to have pre-existing conditions.
Statewide, deaths rose in the latest seven-day stretch by 200 to hit 10,635.
Across Central Massachusetts, 19 cities and towns had two-week rates of new cases exceeding the state average of 34.9 per 100,000. That includes a rate of 153.3, one of the state's highest, in Shirley, which includes the town's houses of correction.
The City of Worcester reported its weekly data on Wednesday, a day ahead of normal because of Thanksgiving. The six-day number of cases was 550, a rate slightly behind the previous full-week number, which was a record high for the city, not counting cases reported after the spring peak due to a testing and reporting error.
Worcester had 9,115 total cases through Nov. 25.
Hospitalizations remain far below the state's spring peak but have doubled over the course of November, standing at nearly 1,000, the state reported Friday. At the worst of the spring peak, hospitalizations topped out at nearly 4,000.
Nationally, more than 13 million cases have been recorded, and the country surpassed 200,000 new daily cases for the first time on Friday, according to tallies from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and The New York Times. The United States has nearly 267,000 virus-related deaths, by far the world's highest. Worldwide, cases were approaching 63 million on Monday morning, with nearly 1.5 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
State, Worcester County and City of Worcester cases and deaths are weekly as of each Thursday. State and Worcester County numbers were previously as of each Wednesday until late October. Worcester County's case total included confirmed and suspected cases through Aug. 12, after which it includes only confirmed cases. Worcester County's death total was revised downward by four on June 30, and is an estimate based on state-reported totals through early August, and estimated numbers from that point forward based on most recent two-week reporting. The City of Worcester retroactively added cases on June 4. State and county data is according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Worcester data is according to the City of Worcester.
Stay connected! Every business day, WBJ Daily Report will be delivered to your inbox by noon. It provides a daily update of the area’s most important business news.
Sign upWorcester Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the Central Mass business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at WBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
SubscribeWorcester Business Journal presents a special commemorative edition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Worcester. This landmark publication covers the city and region’s rich history of growth and innovation.
See Digital EditionStay connected! Every business day, WBJ Daily Report will be delivered to your inbox by noon. It provides a daily update of the area’s most important business news.
Worcester Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the Central Mass business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at WBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
Worcester Business Journal presents a special commemorative edition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Worcester. This landmark publication covers the city and region’s rich history of growth and innovation.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments