COVID-19 Puts 22 MA Firefighters into Quarantine

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Twenty-two Worcester firefighters are quarantining as a result of a positive test within a fire station Sunday night, according to the city of Worcester.

City spokesperson Walter Bird told MassLive that a firefighter in the department tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday and as a result 21 other firefighters, who may have come into contact with the person, have been quarantined as a precaution.

The 21 firefighters will remain in quarantine until they receive negative tests, the city said. The firefighters are expected to be tested this week. The firefighter who tested positive remains in quarantine.

While the city wouldn’t reveal the exact fire station, Bird said it was thoroughly cleaned after the firefighter tested positive. Bird also said coverage for the station, if needed, will be provided while the 22 firefighters are quarantined.

Worcester was designated as a high-risk coronavirus community for three consecutive weeks, meaning its positive test rate was greater than eight per 100,000.

City officials including City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. and Mayor Joseph Petty said last Thursday that over the last 100 days, Worcester is averaging 8.9 cases per 100,000 people.

As of last week, the city has had 6,409 positive cases, up 141 from last week. The week prior saw a jump of 137 cases. Overall, Worcester has experienced 291 coronavirus deaths since the pandemic.

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