New weekly virus student cases in MA schools pass 28,000, NB top 5 in state, FR, NB overall data released

New COVID-19 weekly case counts among Massachusetts schools remain high, however, for the first time since last year, cases have seen a decline from week to week.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 28,151 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from January 13th to January 19th. 4,758 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 32,909.

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.

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.

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 13th to January 19th.

Acushnet: 20 students and 5 staff
Attleboro: 252 students and 28 staff
Dartmouth: 138 students and 13 staff
Fairhaven: 58 students and 11 staff
Fall River: 107 students and 70 staff
New Bedford: 454 students and 73 staff
Plymouth: 293 students and 40 staff
Seekonk: 55 students and 7 staff
Somerset: 57 students and 12 staff
Swansea: 96 students and 12 staff
Taunton: 79 students and 22 staff
Westport: 55 students and 10 staff

Fall River schools continue to see a per day decline in new student cases in the report this week. The city has seen over 26,786 cases among all residents and is currently seeing an average of just over 300 cases per day the last two weeks, second in Bristol County. Last week the two-week average was just under 260 cases per day and the week before that was just over 150.

New Bedford saw the 5th most new school cases in the state after dropping out of the top 20 just two weeks ago. New Bedford has totaled over 29,690 cases among all residents with a current average of just over 365 cases per day the last two weeks which leads Bristol County. Last week the two-week average was just under 310 cases with just over 160 the week before last.

Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Health

Deaths and hospitalizations statewide have begun to slightly decrease.

Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Health