COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts schools more than doubled as Fall River, New Bedford top in state

COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts schools more than doubled this week along with an increase in most area communities.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 523 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from December 24 to January 6. 407 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 930.

The last report, which was for December 24 to January 6, revealed that 431 tested positive. 178 of the positives were students and 253 were staff.

The report only includes positive cases of students and staff who have been in school for either in-person or hybrid learning. Remote learning cases are not counted.

Several Massachusetts communities have recently increased remote learning which leaves less students in the in-person or hybrid learning category.

Here are the statistics from some area cities and towns from January 7 to January 13.

Attleboro: No cases
Dartmouth: 5 students and 3 staff
Fairhaven: 13 students and 1 staff
Fall River: 10 students and 17 staff
New Bedford: 1 student and 24 staff
Plymouth: 14 students
Seekonk: 1 staff
Somerset: 1 staff
Swansea: 6 students and 4 staff
Taunton: No cases
Westport: 4 students and 1 staff

Fall River had the most overall cases in the state and was second in staff cases. New Bedford had the most staff cases and was second in overall cases.