SHARE

Covid-19: Virus Outbreaks Recorded In 11 School Districts Last Week

This past week, 11 Massachusetts public schools experienced COVID-19 outbreaks of 9 or more students and staff coming down with the virus.

COVID-19

COVID-19

Photo Credit: Kristin PalpinImage by Marc Thele from Pixabay

The largest outbreak was recorded in Leominster. From March 4-10, 21 of the school district’s students (15) and staff (6) reported positive cases.

The Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education produces weekly reports on positive COVID-19 cases reported in each school district. The Thursday, March 11 report found about 140 school districts - out of more than 350 - had at least one student or staff member test positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 incidents in schools are of pressing concern as Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley has said he wants elementary and middle school students to return to full-time in-school education in April.

School districts where more than 10 incidents were reported, March 4-10, include: 

  • Boston - 16 - including 4 students and 12 staff; 
  • Grafton - 11 - including 9 students and 2 staff; 
  • and Woburn - 11 - including 8 students and 3 staff.

School districts in Central and Western Massachusetts, as well as the Berkshires, with positive COVID-19 incidents last week also include:

  • Shrewsbury - 8 (6 students, 2 staff)
  • Dudley-Charlson Regional - 7 (6 students, 1 staff)
  • Westfield - 6 (4 students, 2 staff)
  • Worcester - 6 (6 staff)
  • Chicopee - 4 (3 students, 1 staff)
  • Holyoke - 4 (1 student, 3 staff)
  • Ludlow - 4 (4 students)
  • Monsoon - 4 (4 students)
  • Westborough - 4 (4 students)
  • West Springfield - 4 (3 students, 1 staff)
  • Quabbin - 4 (1 student, 3 staff)
  • Auburn - 3 (3 students)
  • Longmeadow - 3 (3 students)
  • Northbridge - 3 (1 student, 2 staff)
  • Oxford - 3 (3 staff)
  • East Longmeadow - 2 (1 student, 1 staff)
  • Hatfield - 2 (2 students)
  • Millbury - 2 (2 students)
  • Northborough - 2 (2 students)
  • Southbridge - 2 (1 student, 1 staff)
  • Gill-Montague - 2 (2 students)
  • Northboro-Southboro - 2 (2 students)
  • Wachusett - 2 (2 students)
  • Blackstone Valley Regional Voke - 2 (2 students)
  • Hadley - 1 (staff)
  • Holliston - 1 (student)
  • Lunenburg - 1 (staff)
  • Uxbridge - 1 (student)
  • Blackstone-Millville - 1 (student)
  • Frontier - 1 (staff)
  • Hampshire - 1 (student)

For more information and to check for outbreaks in other school districts, visit DESE.gov.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UVW2y6lTQLpTrN-XAfrz8ETDSuVxbLJAgPT_or21McI/edit#gid=51867329

to follow Daily Voice Amherst and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE