Worcester Public Schools offers free COVID-19 testing, flu shots to students as city remains high-risk

WORCESTER, Mass. — Students and their families in the Worcester Public School District were able to get flu shots and COVID-19 tests for free on Monday. Just as students started their fully-remote learning last week, high infection rates also pushed the city into the “high risk” category.

Many families gathered at Mulcahy Field on Dorchester Street, where the clinic was held from 2 to 6 p.m., and told Boston 25 that they were doing it for a piece of mind.

“Peace of mind I guess, safety issues,” said mother Andrea Marsden. “You know, Worcester’s a high risk again so, hot spot.”

Andrea brought her son, Jordan Marsden, along with her to get his first ever COVID-19 test.

The sophomore at South High said remote learning has been overwhelming and that he hopes the city can control its infection rate so that students can transition to a hybrid and, eventually, in-person learning model.

Currently, the Worcester Public School District will carry on with remote learning at least through the end of the first quarter, which is in November.

“My whole life I’ve just thought that high school is supposed to be a fun experience, and I haven’t really gotten to experience it that much,” said Jordan. “When it dies down, I would be more than happy to go to class. I understand if parents don’t want their kids to go, but I would definitely go.”

The teen added that time in front of his laptop has been getting old quickly.

“Waking up at 7 or 8 a.m., staring at a screen for about 7 hours a day and just not having much fun," said Jordan.

Officials in the Worcester Public School District recommend that families take precautions early, before flu season gets underway.

“Our children would love to come back to in-person learning and we would love to have them back, and we can’t because we’re in this state,” said Debra McGovern, Director of Worcester Public School Nursing and Health Services. “We’ve seen an increase in covid for the past three weeks, which is very concerning. […] We all know that the flu starts around this time of year as well, and we’re expected to see a surge in COVID related illness as well as the flu, which kills thousands of people a year, as it is.”

“It’s definitely heartbreaking and pretty life-changing,” said Jordan.

Students hoping to return to the classroom need to get a flu vaccine by the end of the year, as part of a new state mandate.

Worcester Public Schools is holding a second clinic on Wednesday, Sept 23rd, for students and parents at University Park on Main Street from 2 tp 6 p.m. The location is across the street from Clark University.

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