The second-largest city in Massachusetts has enacted several precautionary measures because of the coronavirus. City officials originally said they were enacting policies including travel restrictions for city employees, following the precedent set by Gov. Charlie Baker who declared a state of emergency earlier this week. Worcester city officials, including Mayor Joseph Petty and City Manager Edward Augustus, made the announcement Thursday afternoon at City Hall. Additionally, they said three people associated with Worcester schools are suspected of having COVID-19 and all schools will be closed Friday for cleaning. The three have not been tested yet but reported contact with someone who did test positive for the virus. An official daily count from the Massachusetts Department of Health, however, shows only one case in Worcester County. That agency's Thursday report indicates 108 total cases statewide. The Worcester Senior Center will also be closed until further notice, they said. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.Note: An earlier version of this article said the city had enacted a state of emergency, which was incorrect.

The second-largest city in Massachusetts has enacted several precautionary measures because of the coronavirus.

City officials originally said they were enacting policies including travel restrictions for city employees, following the precedent set by Gov. Charlie Baker who declared a state of emergency earlier this week.


Worcester city officials, including Mayor Joseph Petty and City Manager Edward Augustus, made the announcement Thursday afternoon at City Hall.

Additionally, they said three people associated with Worcester schools are suspected of having COVID-19 and all schools will be closed Friday for cleaning. The three have not been tested yet but reported contact with someone who did test positive for the virus.

An official daily count from the Massachusetts Department of Health, however, shows only one case in Worcester County. That agency's Thursday report indicates 108 total cases statewide.

The Worcester Senior Center will also be closed until further notice, they said.

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For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.



The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

Note: An earlier version of this article said the city had enacted a state of emergency, which was incorrect.