1,420 virus cases found in Bay State schools 21 at BPS

A total of 1,420 staff and students in Massachusetts schools have tested positive for the coronavirus in the first infection report of the school year, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The report, which will be published weekly on Thursdays, shows 1,230 students and 190 staff tested positive for the coronavirus from Monday to Wednesday, according to DESE.

During this time last year, there had been 96 total cases reported. Coronavirus pool testing is being used in more than 2,200 public and private schools, about double last year’s count, according to DESE.

Districts with the most cases include Springfield with a whopping 78 cases, Wachusett with 46 cases, Fall River with 31 cases, Lowell and Middleboro with 24 cases each and 23 cases at Sabis International Charter.

There were 21 cases reported at Boston Public Schools.

With no remote learning options allowed this year, all kids are back to school in person full time. Across all grade levels, an estimated 920,000 students and 140,000 staff are now participating in some form of inperson learning.

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 and staff includes those who are enrolled or employed by the district.

DESE originally planned not to report cases again this school year, but changed its decision earlier this month.