Coronavirus Closes Framingham Schools: Up To 95 Exposed

FRAMINGHAM, MA — As many as 95 Framingham students and adults may have been exposed to coronavirus this week after coming into contact with a student whose parent had tested positive for COVID-19, according to city officials. Superintendent Robert Tremblay has ordered all schools closed on March 12 for cleaning.

On Wednesday morning, school officials said that the parent of a Potter Road Elementary student was presumed to be positive for COVID-19. That student has shown symptoms, and is now under quarantine. Potter Road was closed Wednesday morning for a deep cleaning.

The Potter Road student had contact with 77 students and 18 adults, including teachers, a bus driver, and other parents, officials said. The student rides a bus shared by Potter Road and Hemenway students. All 95 of those people will have to undergo quarantine for 14 days. If they don't show symptoms, the students may return to school on March 26, Framingham Superintendent Robert Tremblay said.

Similar to a snow day, Thursday's cancellation will push the last day of school back to June 22.

School officials are set to provide a live update at 10 a.m. Thursday on the district's Facebook page.

In Massachusetts alone, 95 people are presumed positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon. Six of those 95 cases have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control.

Since Tuesday evening, Wayland has canceled classes at two schools after a parent with two children tested positive for COVID-19. Sudbury confirmed a case in a town resident, and two Natick high schoolers tested positive after their parent was sickened by the virus.

All the local cases are "presumptive positive," which means the Centers for Disease Control has not confirmed them yet.

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