By KENNEDY GRIFFIN
(Franklin County, MA) COVID cases are increasing in the community. Franklin County has reported 270 cases between April 17th to April 30th. This is a 207% increase from the lowest recording of 88 cases between February 27th and March 12th. While the number of positive cases is rising, the number of deaths is still going down.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) marked Franklin County as high risk for COVID-19 in the community. CDC recommends residents wear a mask indoors, get vaccinated or boosted, and other precautions such as avoiding crowds.
The Greenfield Board of Health voted to strongly recommend wearing masks inside public buildings at their meeting on Monday, May 9th. Greenfield Public Schools, being public buildings, are also encouraging staff, students, and visitors to wear masks.
Greenfield Public School nurses, Superintendendent Dr. Christine DeBarge, and the Greenfield Health Department have collaborated to form recommendations following DESE protocols, Department of Public Health guidelines, Board of Health, and the Health Department:
- Continue weekly pooled testing for students and staff that have opted in.
- Classrooms with two or more positive cases will have everyone wear masks, including vaccinated individuals, in accordance with DPH guidelines.
- If there are multiple positive cases in a classroom, they may have everyone tested who has opted in for testing.