Shrewsbury Virus Case Increase Pushes Town To 'Moderate Risk'

SHREWSBURY, MA — A one-week uptick in COVID-19 cases in Shrewsbury has pushed the town into the state's "moderate risk" designation for the coronavirus. Between Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 Shrewsbury saw an increase of 18 positive COVID-19 cases, bringing the town's total case count to 411.

Shrewsbury's new moderate risk designation, or a "yellow community" means the town has seen more than four COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period. Shrewsbury was previously deemed a green community.

The town said the increase in positive cases were attributed to several household and long term care facility clusters and urged all residents to do their part in adhering to health guidelines. At Monday night's Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar said the town is moving in the wrong direction. Board members agreed to postpone the plan to bring Town Hall staff back into the building.

"We are urging residents to consider their own responsibility to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus," the town said in a COVID-19 update to the community.

The biggest change was seen in the increase in positive cases in residents age 19 and younger. Residents age 70 and older saw a decrease in positive cases, according to age analysis from the Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance.

Shrewsbury has tested over 16,900 people and free testing is available for all state residents in sites across the Commonwealth. Three sites are open in Worcester:

• AFC Urgent Care: 117 Stafford St, (508) 755-4010, Appointment only – register online
  • Mon-Fri: 12 – 5 p.m. Sat and Sun: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• AIDS Project Worcester: Quinsigamond Community College-670 W. Boylston Street, (508) 847-0623, Appointment only, drive-through
  
  • Thursday 10/8: 8 a.m. –12 p.m.
• UMass Memorial: Community Health Link-72 Jaques Ave, Walk up only; no appointments
  
  • Thursday, 10/8: 12 – 4 p.m.