Massachusetts schools see 949 cases of COVID-19 this week, NB second in state, FR tops in staff cases

COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts schools saw a slight decrease this week along with an increase in some area communities.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 552 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from December 17 to December 23. 397 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 949.

The report from the week prior revealed that 1,009 tested positive. 591 of the positives were students and 418 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, including Fall River, increased remote learning as of late which leaves less students counting towards the numbers.

Here are the statistics from some area cities and towns from December 17 to December 23.

Attleboro: 11 students and 2 staff
Dartmouth: 7 students and 2 staff
Fairhaven: 1 student and 2 staff
Fall River: 4 students and 14 staff
New Bedford: 21 students and 12 staff
Plymouth: 9 students
Seekonk: 4 students and 1 staff
Somerset: 6 students
Swansea: 3 student and 2 staff
Taunton: No cases
Westport: 1 student

New Bedford is second in the state for overall cases, student cases and staff cases. Fall River was first in staff cases.