WORCESTER — No, it's not just you noticing all the discarded exam gloves and masks lining city streets, front yards, and outdoor spaces these days.

It's an unfortunate byproduct of the COVID-19 situation, and city officials are telling residents to keep their trash to themselves, particularly when it comes to gloves and face masks that could easily transmit the coronavirus to sanitation workers or fellow residents.

City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. called the prevalence of gloves and masks lying around unnecessary and irresponsible.

"There is a proper way of disposing of them," Augustus said at City Hall late Monday afternoon.

"We're in this together," he added, "and we should be acting in consideration of others."

Gloves and masks should be thrown in the trash, Augustus said. If someone is out and about and needs to take off gloves or a mask, they can take along a resealable plastic bag and throw it in the trash when they get home. The items should be put in yellow city trash bags, not recycling bins, he added.

The city's annual street sweeping operation is underway, and Augustus said that while the sweepers will be able to take care of gloves and masks that have ended up in the gutter, people are finding them all over the place, including city parks.

The manager said the Department of Public Works and Parks continues to work every day collecting trash in the city. A video that premiered Monday on the city website reminds residents how important it is, particularly in light of the pandemic, to properly tie up their trash bags.

Augustus said every year at least a few DPW workers get stuck with needles improperly disposed of, and he said not overfilling bags and properly disposing of sharps and glass can help reduce risk of exposure.

The DPW noted that there is no special requirement for disposing of COVID-19-related materials like gloves or tissues; they should be handled the same way as items from somebody who had the flu.

• Augustus said Monday he is issuing an order that employees at "public-facing retail" stores wear masks while at work, as the city prepares for an expected peak of cases in the next week or so. He said a lot of businesses are doing that already, but the order will go into effect within the next 48 hours. He said there are mechanisms in place for enforcement of the order, but said throughout the pandemic the city has tried to rely on proper communication to let businesses know what they need to do.

• There have been 715 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 29 cases from Sunday. Augustus noted there have been around 600 new cases since the first of the month. He said that according to data provided by St. Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care, there are 191 people being treated for COVID-19 between the two hospital systems, an increase of seven patients over Sunday. There are 65 patients in local intensive care units, an increase of three, and there have been 27 deaths in the hospital systems attributed to the virus, a number that was unchanged from Sunday. Augustus said 101 health care workers in the two systems have tested positive, an increase of four from Sunday.

• A total of five city police officers have tested positive for the virus and several others remain quarantined, but Augustus said all six firefighters who have tested positive for the virus have been cleared to return to work.

• Augustus said city car washes are being told they are not essential and must close. He said city inspectors are visiting the establishments to make sure they do not remain open.

• Mayor Joseph M. Petty said the Worcester Together fund is currently at $4.2 million, and said the School Department has started a fund drive for Worcester Together that has already netted 244 donations totaling around $8,000.

• Petty said the City Council is in support of District 1 Councilor Sean Rose's idea to have April 27 be a citywide takeout day to show support for local restaurants that have had to adjust to takeout-only regulations during the pandemic.

• Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city's medical director, offered words of support for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert. Hirsh said news reports indicate Fauci may be "on the ropes" within the administration, but he hopes Fauci, a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, sticks around. He's a trusted figure who has given people good information and straight talk throughout the pandemic without sugarcoating anything, Hirsh said. He recalled a quote from Thomas Jefferson about giving people information as a defense against tyranny and oppression.

• Hirsh said that after conference calls with local medical centers, he learned that medical centers are busy but not overwhelmed, and are handling cases well. Augustus said the DCU Center field hospital has treated eight patients, and said 22 homeless people who tested positive for the virus are at the Worcester Technical High School shelter.