![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_details_body/public/2020-11/number_of_worcester_county_coronavirus_tests.png.jpg?itok=hi0hCekA)
Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Far more people in Worcester County are getting tested for coronavirus far more than ever, but with cases rising sharply, the rates of tests coming back positive is rising, too.
In the span of three months, testing in the county has tripled — surpassing 100,000 over a two-week period for the first time on Nov. 12, according to Massachusetts Department of Public Health data.
That increase in testing has gone a long way toward giving individuals the public a better sense of how much the virus is spreading. Yet even as the number of tests have soared, so too has the rate of tests coming back positive.
In a two-week stretch from late August to early September, 0.7% of tests in Worcester County were positive. By mid-October, the rate jumped to 1.08%. By the first two weeks of November, it was 2.51%.
That generally tracks with the state's own positivity rate increasing. It was 1.07% in late August and early September, and 2.29% in the first two weeks of November.
Worcester County has significantly increased testing since the summer, thanks in large part to college campuses testing students and employees regularly in an effort to avoid campus outbreaks.
Clark University in Worcester has conducted nearly 80,000 tests, by far the most in Worcester County, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute has done more than 30,000 in just the past 30 days. College of the Holy Cross in Worcester has done more than 18,000, Worcester State University more than 17,000, and Fitchburg State University more than 6,000.
In the past two weeks through Nov. 12, more than 104,000 tests were conducted in Worcester County. To put that in perspective, that's more testing that was done statewide from the time the pandemic began through April 10.
Stay connected! Every business day, WBJ Daily Report will be delivered to your inbox by noon. It provides a daily update of the area’s most important business news.
Sign upWorcester Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the Central Mass business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at WBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
SubscribeWorcester Business Journal presents a special commemorative edition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Worcester. This landmark publication covers the city and region’s rich history of growth and innovation.
See Digital EditionStay connected! Every business day, WBJ Daily Report will be delivered to your inbox by noon. It provides a daily update of the area’s most important business news.
Worcester Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the Central Mass business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at WBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
Worcester Business Journal presents a special commemorative edition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Worcester. This landmark publication covers the city and region’s rich history of growth and innovation.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments