MA schools see 48,000+ virus cases the past week, cases overall in FR and NB spike

COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts schools have shown no indication of slowing down.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 41,063 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from January 6th to January 12th. 7,351 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 48,414.

In the period from December 23rd to January 5th (two weeks due to holiday), the state saw 51,100 cases with 38,887 among students and 12,213 among staff.

8,576 new COVID-19 cases for students were reported from December 16th to December 22nd. 1,544 were reported for staff making the total 10,120.

Back in March, new student numbers were in the 400s for the week with staff cases under 200.

Here are the statistics from some area cities and towns from January 6th to January 12th.

Acushnet: 33 students and 9 staff
Attleboro: 354 students and 42 staff
Dartmouth: 173 students and 24 staff
Fairhaven: 103 students and 14 staff
Fall River: 94 students and 110 staff
New Bedford: 457 students and 116 staff
Plymouth: 383 students and 55 staff
Seekonk: 109 students and 10 staff
Somerset: 88 students and 20 staff
Swansea: 130 students and 27 staff
Taunton: 45 students and 21 staff
Westport: 70 students and 19 staff

Fall River schools continue to see a per day decline in new student cases in the report this week despite the state seeing a continued increase in new school cases. However, Fall River is the only community with more than a handful of cases that saw more new cases among staff than students. The city has seen over 24,906 cases among all residents and is currently seeing an average of just over 260 cases per day the last two weeks, second in Bristol County. Last week the two-week average was just under 150 cases per day and the week before that was just over 102.

New Bedford saw the 12th most new school cases in the state after dropping out of the top 20. New Bedford has totaled over 27,680 cases among all residents with a current average of just under 310 cases per day the last two weeks which leads Bristol County. Last week the two-week average was just under 160 cases with just over 105 the week before last.

Deaths and hospitalizations statewide continue to increase.

Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Health