Please see the information below regarding the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID 19 rate and case count over the past 14 days. Also included is an update on the definition of close contact (per order of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), as it applies to in-school and on the bus close contracting scenarios, as well as an update of the extension of free meals throughout the remainder of the school year.
Community Report:
As of April 22, 2021, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that the town of Cohasset’s positive COVID-19 test rate over the past 14 days is 1.55%, with 13 positive cases out of 970 tests reported. Under the DPH metrics, the town of Cohasset is in the "Green" category for communities who have a population of under 10,000 who have less than or equal to 15 positive cases over the last 14 days.
As this change in designation for Cohasset to the Green Category shows progress in our community rates, it is imperative that we all follow the protocols of handwashing / hand sanitizing and wearing face-covering masks when appropriate to do so. Here is the complete report that was issued on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
For your information, please find below a summary table of all confirmed positive COVID cases in the District as of today, Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Confirmed Positive Cases as of Thursday, April 22, 2021
Updated Guidance Defining Close Contacts in the School and Bus Settings:
“The following update to the quarantine guidance for close contacts was approved by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services after consultation with the Governor’s Medical Advisory Board on COVID-19 and other medical advisors. This updated guidance is effective immediately!
Close contacts who were exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the classroom or on the bus while both individuals were masked do not have to quarantine unless they were within 3 feet of distance of the COVID-19 positive individual for a total of 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. This does not apply if someone was identified as a close contact outside of the classroom or bus (e.g., in sports, extra-curriculars, lunch, etc.) or if masks are not worn by both persons at the time of the exposure. All other close contacts must follow the standard protocol for when a close contact may return to school (the six (6) feet of distance protocols apply in these cases).
The full guidance is posted on the COVID-19 guidance page and available for download.” (Commissioner Riley’s Update, April 20, 2021).
Continuation of Universal Free School Meals:
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended school meal waivers through the end of the 2021-2022 school year, allowing the continuation of universal free school meals at any school district throughout the state for the rest of this school year, through the summer, and through next school year. Schools nationwide will be allowed to serve meals through USDA’s National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option, which is typically only available during the summer months and which allows schools to serve free meals to all children. More information is available online.” (Commissioner Riley’s Update, April 20, 2021).
Sincerely,
Patrick Sullivan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
