New COVID cases in Worcester continue plateau since mid-June

WORCESTER — A slight uptick in new cases COVID-19 from the week of Aug. 5 has reverted to the rough plateau in cases that has been recorded in the city for almost two months, but hospitalizations have risen.

On Friday, the Worcester Department of Public Health reported that the city's seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases stood at 35.3, a decline in about 18 cases a day from the week before.

Following calls for vigilance in the face of highly contagious COVID-19 omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 in early July by the city, new cases have stuck to a plateau that started in mid-June.

Still, city health officials encourage residents to wear face coverings, stay up to date on vaccines and booster shots, and get tested when exhibiting symptoms.

Over the past seven days, 247 new cases were reported in Worcester for a total of 61,109 since the start of the pandemic. One additional deaths from COVID-19 was reported this week.

The total number of deaths from COVID-19 in the city stands at 544.

Inpatient numbers increased over Aug 5, with 64 people hospitalized in Worcester's health systems, up 16 from the previous week. In addition, seven are in intensive care unit beds, up an additional patient.

The city reports 64% of residents are fully vaccinated, and 75% have received at least one shot. Of the fully vaccinated population, 51% have received at least one booster shot.

The city administered 174 first doses over the past week, 109 doses to fully vaccinate residents and 211 booster doses.

A higher reading of COVID-19 detected in Greater Worcester wastewater on Aug 7 fell to about an average reading of detected COVID-19 on Monday

Recordings on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday have not approached that high, but Wednesday's recording was higher than the prior two this week.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: New COVID cases in Worcester continue plateau