476 cases reported in Bay State schools
As more districts welcome kids back
A total of 476 staff and students in Massachusetts schools have tested positive for coronavirus in the past week in a continued downward trend that mirrors state figures, according to data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The weekly report published on Thursdays shows 343 students and 133 staff tested positive for coronavirus from Feb. 25 to Wednesday, according to DESE.
This week’s count represents a decrease of 106 cases from last week’s total of 582 as the weekly count in schools continues to drop.
Many districts have begun to reopen for in-person learning in recent months due to improved coronavirus rates and directives from the state.
Since the beginning of the school year, which kicked off 21 weeks ago, a total of 11,946 cases have been reported in Massachusetts schools, according to DESE.
There are an estimated 450,000 students in public school buildings and 75,000 staff across the state as many districts begin to reopen and welcome students back for in-person learning models.
The report includes the number of positive COVID19 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.
Districts with the most cases in the past two weeks include 13 cases in Methuen, 12 cases in Boston and 11 cases in Hopedale.
Boston Public Schools, which began a new phasedin return to the classroom on Feb. 4, has reported a total of 196 cases so far this year, and the DESE report, put out once a week, shows seven staff and five student cases in BPS.