Virus cases both in schools and overall continue decline in Fall River, New Bedford, state

New COVID-19 weekly case counts among Massachusetts schools have seen a decline for the fourth week in a row. Cases overall have also continued to decline.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 5,634 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from February 3rd to February 9th. 1,089 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 6,723.

In the period from January 27th to February 2nd, the state saw 11,986 cases with 10,068 among students and 1,918 among staff.

18,536 new COVID-19 cases for students were reported from January 20th to January 26th. 3,150 were reported for staff making the total 21,686.

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 February 3rd to February 9th.

Acushnet: 8 students and 1 staff
Attleboro: 58 students and 10 staff
Dartmouth: 0 students and 0 staff
Fairhaven: 8 students and 0 staff
Fall River: 20 students and 9 staff
New Bedford: 52 students and 18 staff
Plymouth: 47 students and 9 staff
Seekonk: 15 students and 2 staff
Somerset: 11 students and 3 staff
Swansea: 31 students and 1 staff
Taunton: 15 students and 4 staff
Westport: 13 students and 2 staff

Fall River schools continue to see a per day decline in new student cases in the report this week. The city has seen 29,072 cases among all residents and is currently seeing an average of just over 79 cases per day the last two weeks, second in Bristol County. Last week, the two-week average was just over 145 cases per day and the week before that was just over 230.

New Bedford schools had the 5th most new staff cases in the state. The city has totaled 32,154 cases among all residents with a current average of just over 85 cases per day the last two weeks which leads Bristol County. Last week the two-week average was just over 166 cases with just under 270 the week before last.

Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Health

Deaths and hospitalizations statewide have decreased for the fourth straight week. Total confirmed and probable deaths in MA from COVID-19 are 22,737 since the beginning of the pandemic. The average age of infection is 34 with an average age of 77 concerning those who have died from the virus.

Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Health