Dept. of Ed: 92 Student, 68 Staff Test Positive in Schools This

While other schools in the state of Massachusetts and Berkshire County have a few weeks of hybrid or in-person learning under their belts, this past week was the first three days back to the school building (hybrid learning) for Pittsfield Public Schools.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released a spreadsheet on its website with details about positive COVID-19 cases.

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

A total of 92 students in 41 different districts, education collaboratives, and special education schools tested positive for the coronavirus in a one week period, from Oct. 8 through Oct. 14. 68 staff members in 21 different school districts and three special-ed schools tested positive.

In Berkshire County, only one school community member has tested positive. Since the North Adams Public School District has reported there has been no spread of the virus from that individual.

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.