Swampscott Schools To Stay Hybrid Despite Coronavirus Surge

SWAMPSCOTT, MA —A surge of cororonavirus cases has pushed Swampscott into the "high-risk" category for community spread, according to state data released Thursday afternoon.

Swampscott officials said in a statement issued in conjunction with the release of the latest state coronavirus weekly report — in which Swampscott was one of 77 community designated "red" or high risk —that while schools will open in the hybrid model on Monday, they will transition to fully remote if the town remains in the "red" category for two more consecutive weeks.

The state designated communities high risk if they have 8.0 or more cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people.

"The number of new cases in Swampscott will continue to rise and fall, but as the weather gets colder, we cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is that you continue to keep up with all of the preventative methods we've been familiar with for months," town officials said in the statement. "Wear your mask, wash your hands, socially distance from one another, and take advantage of Swampscott's free testing. "

Swampscott confirmed 16 new positive cases of coronavirus over the past two weeks — which does not include any probable cases or any close contacts under quarantine.

The leap comes after Swampscott reported 2.6 cases per 100,000 residents in last week's report
— up from 0.5 the week prior. The metric is used to determine whether communities can continued eased business and public gathering restrictions in the state's reopening.

Because of Swampscott's relatively small population, it only takes a few cases to substantially move the metric. The town had five confirmed positive cases of coronavirus over the previous two weeks.

The town has added an extra day per week to its free, drive-thru testing at the First Congregational Church. Testing will now take place weekly on Mondays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

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