Updated: April 30, 2021
Worcester County, state reach lowest case levels since Nov.
Photo | Grant Welker
UMass Memorial Medical Center's Memorial Campus in Worcester
By Grant Welker
New coronavirus case numbers in Worcester County and across Massachusetts were at the lowest level this week since early November, continuing progress fighting the pandemic while more public restrictions are loosening.
Worcester County had 912 newly reported cases in the week ending Thursday, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The state reported 8,212 new cases as a whole in the past week.
In both cases, those numbers are the lowest since the week ending Nov. 5. Those rates, while still far higher than those of last summer, nonetheless are a fraction of new rates over the winter when cases were at all-time highs.
The city of Worcester's new weekly total of 203 cases requires an even longer look back for comparable numbers, in mid-October.
Worcester County now has a total of 75,179 positive cases, and the state 644,688. Worcester has 23,302, the city reported Friday afternoon.
Deaths have also dropped.
Worcester County reported only four new deaths in the past week on Thursday, its lowest such number since last July. Deaths peaked at more than 100 for four straight weeks last spring. Worcester County deaths now stand at 2,189. Statewide deaths have also slowed, with 75 newly reported deaths in the past week bringing the Massachusetts total to 17,243.
The number of Massachusetts residents who've been vaccinated has been another positive trend. Through Thursday, 2.4 million of the state's 6.9 million residents have been fully vaccinated, according to DPH. In Worcester County, 47% of residents have received at least one dose and 31% are fully vaccinated.
The latest case numbers come a few days after Gov. Charlie Baker announced he would move the state to the next phase of its pandemic reopening. Starting Friday, face coverings are required outside in public only when it's not possible to socially distance. They'll still be required in indoor public spaces at all times.
Starting May 10, stadiums will be able to be filled to 25% capacity, including at Worcester's Polar Park, where the Worcester Red Sox are due to play their first home game on May 11 in front of as many as 2,377 fans. As of May 29, gathering limits will be increased to 200 people indoors and 250 outdoors, and street festivals and parades will be allowed. By Aug. 1, all business restrictions will be lifted, including gathering limits.
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