Dept. of Ed: 201 Students, 85 Staff Test Positive in Schools This Week

Schools in the state of Massachusetts and Berkshire County have been getting into the swing hybrid or in-person learning for a few weeks now. Although numbers have stayed low in Berkshire County, Boston Public Schools announced they would be returning to fully remote learning due to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases.

The information will serve as a dashboard for positive cases in schools, set to be released weekly, was published this morning by education officials from local schools operating in-person or hybrid learning.

A total of 201 students in 85 different districts, education collaboratives, and special education schools tested positive for the coronavirus in a one week period, from Oct. 22 through Oct. 28.

Among districts reporting student cases this week, Beverly had the highest total, with eight, followed by Braintree and Rockland, with seven each.

This week’s total number of COVID cases in Massachusetts schools is up from the previous week, when 92 students and 68 staff cases were reported between Oct. 8 through Oct. 14.

The State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education report only includes information about positive cases of students and staff who have been in school buildings for either in-person or hybrid learning. If a student is learning remotely or a staff member has not been in a school building 7 days prior to receiving a positive result, the data is not reported by DESE.

DESE says it will not play a formal role in tracking or monitoring cases at a local or statewide level. This information will allow the organization to provide support to local officials in consultation with public health authorities.

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