129 students, 73 staff members test positive for COVID-19 at MA schools, DESE says

BOSTON — The state Department of Education has new numbers on the cases of positive coronavirus tests in students and staff.

[ DESE: 92 students, 68 staff members test positive for COVID-19 in Mass. schools]

A total of 129 students in 41 different districts, education collaboratives, and special education schools tested positive for the coronavirus in a one week period, from Oct. 15 through Oct. 21.

Seventy-eight staff members in 21 different school districts and three special-ed schools tested positive.

This week’s total number of COVID cases in Massachusetts schools is up from the previous week, when 92 students and 68 staff cases were reported between Oct. 8 through Oct. 14.

DESE estimates 450,000 students and 75,000 staff members total have been inside public school buildings recently.

[ DESE Commissioner sends letter to 16 school districts about lack of in-person learning despite low-risk COVID-19 numbers ]

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