New virus cases in Fall River/New Bedford area remain high, but decline, MA school cases decrease

New COVID-19 weekly case counts among Massachusetts schools remain high, however, for the second week in a row, cases have seen a decline from week to week.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 18,536 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from January 20th to January 26th. 3,150 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 21,686.

In the period from January 13th to January 19th, the state saw 32,909 cases with 28,151 among students and 4,758 among staff.

41,063 new COVID-19 cases for students were reported from January 6th to January 12th. 7,351 were reported for staff making the total 48,414.

Back in March of 2021, 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 20th to January 26th.

Acushnet: 16 students and 3 staff
Attleboro: 245 students and 16 staff
Dartmouth: 87 students and 6 staff
Fairhaven: 56 students and 7 staff
Fall River: 77 students and 54 staff
New Bedford: 215 students and 60 staff
Plymouth: 164 students and 32 staff
Seekonk: 39 students and 4 staff
Somerset: 41 students and 5 staff
Swansea: 68 students and 6 staff
Taunton: 24 students and 10 staff
Westport: 28 students and 4 staff

Fall River schools continue to see a per day decline in new student cases in the report this week. The city has seen 28,071 cases among all residents and is currently seeing an average of just over 230 cases per day the last two weeks, second in Bristol County. Last week, the two-week average was just over 300 cases per day and the week before that was just over 260.

New Bedford saw the 7th most new school cases in the state after dropping out of the top 20 three weeks ago. New Bedford has totaled 31,169 cases among all residents with a current average of just over 270 cases per day the last two weeks which leads Bristol County. Last week the two-week average was just over 365 cases with just under 310 the week before last.

Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Health

Deaths and hospitalizations statewide have decreased for the second straight week.

Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Health