130 new coronavirus cases reported in Massachusetts schools in past week, lowest staff cases ever

A total of 130 staff and students in Massachusetts schools have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past week, a decrease of 120 cases from the week prior in a continued downward trend, according to data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The weekly report published on Thursdays shows 117 students and 13 staff tested positive for the coronavirus from June 2 to Wednesday, according to DESE, which represents the lowest staff case count ever reported.

This week’s count represents a decrease of 120 cases from a tally of 250 cases the week prior. Case counts have been steadily ticking down in recent weeks.

Districts with the most cases in the past week include eight cases each in Boston and Brockton and seven cases in Lawrence.

Boston Public Schools, which as of May 17 has reopened for full-time, in-person learning for all students, has reported a total of 515 cases so far this year. The DESE report for this week shows six BPS student cases and two staff cases in BPS.

As of May 17, per state mandate, schools of all grade levels except those with a waiver returned to full-time, in-person learning with 99% of schools are offering such instruction, according to DESE.

Across all grade levels, an estimated 735,000 students and 140,000 staff are now participating in some form of in-person learning.

Educators have been eligible for vaccination since March 11, and coronavirus pool testing is also being used in many districts. Less than .3% of students and staff reported a positive coronavirus test during pool testing this past week, according to DESE.

Since the beginning of the school year, which kicked off 32 weeks ago, a total of 21,048 cases have been reported in Massachusetts schools, according to DESE.

The report includes the number of positive COVID-19 cases as reported to DESE by school districts including charter schools and collaboratives.

The number of positive cases for students includes those engaged in hybrid or in-person learning models, not remote.

Reported positive staff cases include those who have been in a district building within the seven days prior to the report of the positive case.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3fMjIxq