Brookline Public Schools Report 100 New Covid Cases

Annie Sandoli
·1 min read

BROOKLINE, MA — The Public Schools of Brookline reported 100 new cases of COVID-19 last week, a significant increase from 74 cases reported the week before, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.

The data was reported on Thursday and accounts for all cases from March 24 to 31. Of the positive cases, 90 were considered contagious while in school. In addition, Brookline High School accounted for 40 of the 100 cases, 72 cases were students, and the other 28 cases were staff.

Because of the increase in positive COVID-19 cases, the district will now require rather than strongly suggest individuals wear a mask in certain specific scenarios. These scenarios include:

  • Individuals returning from COVID-19 isolation, prior to day 10, through day 10.

  • Fully vaccinated individuals who have an at-home close contact, for a period of 5 days.

“While this is a definite increase in cases, it is also indicative of the seriousness with which our community has responded to the pandemic and our broad use of the rapid antigen tests, both in weekly surveillance tests and in the testing of symptomatic individuals at school and at home,” the Public Schools of Brookline Student Health Services said in a statement.

Students with COVID-19 are required to isolate themselves for at least five days after getting a positive test result. They may return to school if they go 24 hours without a fever and their symptoms significantly decrease, but they must wear a mask when around others until all symptoms are gone.

Brookline schools will also be encouraging hand-washing, refilling hand sanitizer, and opening windows or using portable HEPA filters, said the district.

This article originally appeared on the Brookline Patch