MA schools see nearly 8,000 virus cases in one week, overall cases in Fall River, New Bedford continue to climb

COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts schools increased yet again this week with an even sharper climb.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 6,879 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from December 2nd to December 8th. 1,105 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 7,984. No report was released by DESE last Thursday due to the holiday.

In a two-week period from November 18th to December 1st due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the state saw 9,909 cases with 8,513 among students and 1,396 among staff.

3,257 new COVID-19 cases for students were reported from November 11th to November 17th. 558 were reported for staff making the total 3,815.

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

Here are the statistics from some area cities and towns from December 2nd to December 8th.

Acushnet: 6 students and 0 staff
Attleboro: 46 students and 2 staff
Dartmouth: 46 students and 4 staff
Fairhaven: 19 students and 0 staff
Fall River: 95 students and 14 staff
New Bedford: 174 students and 27 staff
Plymouth: 66 students and 9 staff
Seekonk: 21 students and 3 staff
Somerset: 23 students and 2 staff
Swansea: 24 students and 3 staff
Taunton: 53 students and 8 staff
Westport: 28 students and 3 staff

Fall River schools ranked 8th in student cases in the report this week. Just five weeks ago, Fall River had 6 new student cases and none among staff. The city has seen over 18,900 cases among all residents and is currently seeing an average of over 68 cases per day the last two weeks. Last week the two-week average was under 50. In the last 7 days, Fall River is seeing approximately 100 cases a day.

New Bedford is back near the top after seeing a drop in ranking in the state a week prior. The city had the 4th most student cases this past week. New Bedford has totaled over 20,600 cases among all residents with a current average of nearly 75 cases per day the last two weeks. Last week the two-week average was just over 55. New Bedford has seen over 80 cases a day on average the last week.