WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester Public Schools reported one of the highest numbers of new COVID-19 cases among students and staff in school buildings this month.
According to data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education [DESE], Worcester had 23 student cases and eight staff cases in the past week.
School Safety Director Rob Pezzella says they’re concerned the number of cases are increasing, but are paying close attention. He says last week the schools started a new COVID-19 testing program in partnership with Family Health Center, which they hope will help prevent the spread of cases.
“Once a student or staff member is symptomatic to COVID-19 symptoms then they get sent to a medical waiting room and then upon parental consent for students they can go get tested within 24 hours. Once we have that information, we can mitigate potential COVID-19 in that respective school building they are coming from,” Pezzell said.
Pezzella says one positive is more school staff members are getting vaccinated. He says as far as safety protocols in schools go, they have never changed course since day one.
Video Link: https://spectrumnews1.com/ma/worcester/news/2021/04/09/covid-in-worcester-schools-040921#
Ana Bottary
Spectrum News 1
