Barnstable Schools Switch To In-Person, Despite Community Spread

BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable Public Schools are moving back to in-person learning on Jan. 19, despite a high level of community spread. In a notice to the district, Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown said cases in Barnstable Public Schools were decreasing.

The district just finished its 14-day remote-learning period following New Years.

Mayo-Brown said the district physician, "indicated it is reasonable to return to in-person learning." Mayo-Brown added that the district is relying on parents, students and staff to remain diligent about following health and safety protocols.

"The risk of in-school transmission remains high. We will do our part to implement and insist on our health and safety protocols during school hours. We need our families as partners in this endeavor, outside of school, so that our schools can remain as healthy and safe as possible. When we become aware of gatherings or other activities that may ultimately impact the health of our students and staff through transmission, it generates concern, worry and frustration across schools and will compromise our ability to stay open in-person," the statement reads.

According to town-by-town COVID-19 data released by the state on Thursday, Barnstable has 404 new cases in the past two weeks, bringing the town's total case count to 2,128. The case count increased in the last two weeks and the town is designated a "high-risk" community by the state.