COVID Case Update
As of October 20, 2021, Masconomet has the following number of reported COVID-19 Cases:
| September | October | Total | |
| High School Students | 15 | 3 | 18 |
| Middle School Students | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Faculty | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Totals | 18 | 6 | 24 |
Our case numbers continue to remain low relative to September:
| Week of: | Cases |
| 9/8/21 – 9/15/21 | 8 |
| 9/16/21 – 9/22/21 | 6 |
| 9/23/21 – 9/29/21 | 3 |
| 9/30/21 – 10/6/21 | 2 |
| 10/7/21 – 10/13/21 | 3 |
| 10/14/21 – 10/20/21 | 2 |
| Total | 24 |
COVID Vaccination Rates as of October 19, 2021
| Vaccination Rate* | |||
| Group | October 5, 2021 | October 12, 2021 | October 19, 2021 |
| MS Students (1) | 68.74% | 68.91% | 69.08% |
| HS Students (1) | 79.14% | 79.22% | 79.41% |
| All District Staff (2) | 80.79% | 83.44% | 85.53% |
| All MASCO | 76.22% | 76.72% | 77.21% |
| * – Methodology follows DESE Policy on Vaccination Thresholds dated September 27, 2021 | (1) Source: Direct data feed from Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) | (2) Source: Survey of District Employees requesting Proof of Vaccination Status |
Mask Mandate Remains in Place
Since Masconomet have not reached the 80% vaccination threshold, we are not eligible for a waiver from DESE to allow vaccinated individuals to attend school unmasked. The current mask mandate is in place through November 1st. DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley has told us that he will be announcing his decision early next week as to whether this mandate will remain in place past November 1st. We will continue to update our vaccination information and work with the Boxford Board of Health regarding any plans relative to masking.
Test and Stay and Symptomatic Testing Programs Update
As of October 19, 2021, we have administered a total of 29 tests under the Test and Stay Program to 18 individuals. Under Test and Stay, unvaccinated individuals who are identified as in-school close contacts of a COVID-19 positive individual are allowed to remain in school as long as they take a daily COVID-19 test and follow other health and safety protocols. We have had no positive test results through the Test and Stay Program. Our relatively high vaccination rates have created a situation where we have very few unvaccinated in-school close contacts who are eligible for Test and Stay when we do have a COVID-19 positive individual in the building.
On October 5th, we also began testing individuals who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day through DESE’s Symptomatic Testing Program. Between October 5th and October 19th, we have tested 45 individuals who were symptomatic in school, with only one positive result. This individual was sent for a PCR test, which ultimately produced a negative result. These two testing programs, Test and Stay and Symptomatic, provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have proved to be a valuable tool in ensuring the safety of our students and staff.
News from the Masconomet Superintendent 