Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Worcester County and Massachusetts broke streaks of weekly coronavirus case increases on Thursday, while the city of Worcester's case rose in what the city manager said he hopes is a blip.
Worcester had 359 new cases in the past week reported Thursday, its highest total since the week ending Feb. 11, just as the city was coming down from all-time highs in mid-winter. That brings Worcester to 22,370 total cases since the pandemic began.
"We hope that's a blip and not a trend, but we're going to keep a close eye on that going forward," City Manager Edward Augustus said in a press conference at City Hall.
Hospitalized coronavirus patients at Worcester's two hospital systems, Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health, showed a mixed picture. Coronavirus inpatient numbers were down one to 47, while the number of intensive-care patients rose by six to hit 20. Those numbers are far below where they stood during last spring's spike. The two hospital systems have had 710 total reported coronavirus patient deaths.
Worcester County's new weekly counts were a bit more promising, according to new data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Cases were 1,258 in the past week, breaking a stretch of two consecutive weeks of increases. Worcester County now has 71,875 cases since the pandemic began.
Across Massachusetts, cases were down to 13,131 to hit a new total of 613,763. The state broke a four-week stretch of case increases.
Worcester County had 14 newly reported deaths, its lowest weekly total since early November, for a new total of 2,169. Worcester had one new death reported in the past week to reach a new total of 417. Massachusetts reported 346 new deaths, up significantly from 205 the previous week, for a new total of 17,022.
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. Weekly testing periods varied between six- and eight-day ranges for some weeks, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
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