What's Going Around in Worcester?
Health data for the Worcester, Massachusetts area — April 2026
Here's what respiratory illnesses and infectious diseases look like near Worcester, Massachusetts, based on the latest CDC surveillance data for Massachusetts. Tap any topic for detailed state-level trends, charts, and forecasts.
3.0% ILI
→ Stable in Massachusetts
2.3 per 100K
↓ Declining in Massachusetts
1.2 per 100K
↓ Declining in Massachusetts
2 cases in Massachusetts
96.6% in Massachusetts
CDC Recommendations at This Level
Flu is circulating — take everyday precautions
- • Wash hands frequently, especially before eating and after public spaces
- • Stay home if you develop fever, cough, or body aches — you're most contagious in the first 3-4 days
- • The CDC recommends getting a flu shot if you haven't yet — it's not too late
- • Consider a mask in crowded indoor spaces if you're high-risk or caring for someone who is
This is general public health guidance based on CDC recommendations — not personal medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about what's right for you and your family.
Worcester Community Health Snapshot
2022 dataCity-specific chronic disease and prevention statistics from the CDC PLACES program , which provides local health estimates for communities across the US.
Chronic Conditions
Mental Health
Health Behaviors
Prevention & Access
Source: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2024 release. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates. Learn more
About this data: Infectious disease surveillance (flu, COVID, RSV, measles) is reported at the state level. This page uses Massachusetts data as the best available indicator for the Worcester area. The health snapshot above shows Worcester-specific estimates from CDC PLACES (2022 data).
See the full Massachusetts health dashboard for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What illnesses are going around in Worcester, Massachusetts right now?
Based on Massachusetts state surveillance data (which covers Worcester), flu activity is moderate, RSV is moderate, COVID-19 is moderate, and Massachusetts has reported 2 measles cases in 2026. Click any topic above for detailed trends and charts.
Is the flu bad in Worcester right now?
Flu activity in Massachusetts (which includes Worcester) is currently moderate with 3.0% ILI. Activity appears stable. See the Massachusetts flu page for weekly trend charts.
What are the biggest health issues in Worcester?
According to the CDC PLACES dataset (2022 data), Worcester residents face these key health challenges: Sleep Deprived (38.1%), Obesity (36.5%), High BP (33.4%). The community health snapshot on this page shows 18 health measures specific to Worcester.
Does Worcester have its own health data, or is this state-level?
This page combines two types of CDC data. The infectious disease section (flu, COVID, RSV, measles) shows Massachusetts state-level surveillance, which is the most reliable available indicator for the Worcester area. The Community Health Snapshot below shows Worcester-specific chronic disease and prevention data from the CDC PLACES program, which provides city-level estimates for all 50 states. State infectious disease data reflects overall trends that apply to communities within the state, including Worcester.
Local Health Signal is not affiliated with the CDC or any government agency. Data is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended for clinical decision making. See our methods page for details on data sources and limitations.