WORCESTER - For nearly two months, the City of Worcester has held public meetings exclusively online to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to data from the City, nearly 7,000 viewers tuned into the March 17 City Council meeting on Facebook Live. Since then, the number of viewers has seen a significant drop below 2,000.

However, the City is pleased with the turnout -- saying it's a far greater number of participants than were streaming the meetings prior to the pandemic. 

Beyond streaming on Facebook, residents can tune in to Channel 192 on Spectrum Cable or can call a direct line into the meeting. 

Mayor Joe Petty said, "We've been able to coordinate as best we can. Even though sometimes it's hard, the City Council meetings have been pretty good. Right now, we're all doing the Webex meetings in the City Council. We have a number of people who are coming in on the [direct] line and they have the opportunity to speak if they want to."

Petty said there was 160 people on the direct line for Thursday night's School Committee meeting. 

The next City Council meeting is being held on Tuesday, May 12. To dial-in to the meeting, call 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 730323290#) or follow along the City of Worcester's Facebook page.