4 Worcester School Workers Positive For Coronavirus: DESE

WORCESTER, MA — Nearly 100 public school students and staff across the state have tested positive for coronavirus since the beginning of the school year, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

According to the state, four staff members working for Worcester Public Schools tested positive between Sept. 24 and Sept. 30. The cases are in people who had access to buildings in the school district.

Worcester began classes in September fully remote, which means it's unlikely any staff had contact with students. No students in Worcester have tested positive yet, according to the data.

Worcester's back-to-school plan divides students into three groups: general education students with no special needs, a middle group with some special education needs, and a third group with students who need a high level of in-class support.

Only the third group is set to return to class, but not until after the first quarter ends on Nov. 13, according to the district.

Worcester is considered a high-risk community for coronavirus. On Thursday, city officials announced 141 new cases over the past week, and they say the recent rise is due to large social gatherings and fatigue around wearing masks and social distancing.