Massachusetts schools see record 923 COVID-19 cases this week as New Bedford, Fall River rank highest in state

COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts schools saw a marked increase from last week along with an increase in many area communities.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 503 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from December 2 to December 9. 420 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 923.

The report from the week prior revealed that 527 tested positive. 276 of the positives were students and 251 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, have increased remote learning which is expected to lower these numbers next week.

Here are the statistics from some area cities and towns from December 2 to December 9.

Attleboro: 6 students and 1 staff
Dartmouth: 3 students and 3 staff
Fairhaven: 4 students and 1 staff
Fall River: 15 students and 18 staff
New Bedford: 42 students and 23 staff
Plymouth: 3 students
Seekonk: 6 students and 1 staff
Somerset: 1 student and 3 staff
Swansea: 1 student and 2 staff
Taunton: 8 students and 2 staff
Westport: 1 student and 1 staff

New Bedford is first in the state for staff cases, student cases, and overall cases. Fall River followed New Bedford in all categories.