The trends look positive as the number of new cases of COVID-19 among students and staff in Massachusetts public schools was lower than the prior weeks. A total of 582 new positive cases among individuals in schools. The most recent community level data is available through the state COVID-19 Response Reporting.
Hundreds of students are returning to in-person education for the first time in March as schools implement pool testing of students and staff in more than 900 schools across the state. Social distancing in schools and follow up testing from any positive results from pool testing should limit the number of close contacts (including exposed colleagues, peers and household members) required to quarantine for up to 14 days.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reports the number of COVID-19 cases by school districts (including charter schools), collaboratives, and approved special education schools each week as reported by the district. The data represents the number of staff or students who reported as positive for the previous week based on the DESE definitions:
- Reported positive cases for students: Number of reported positive cases for students who are learning in hybrid or in-person learning models and have been in a district school within the seven days prior to the report of the positive case (excludes students learning in fully remote models).
- Reported positive cases for staff: Number of reported positive cases for district staff members who have been in a district building within the seven days prior to the report of the positive case (excludes staff that have not been in district buildings during the seven days prior to the report of the positive case).
The weekly reports are available here.
Additional self-reported data on positive COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts public schools can be viewed and reported in the Stop the Spread tool.