Medford Schools Mark Zero Cases Out Of 2,700+ Tests

MEDFORD, MA — The COVID-19 testing program in the Medford Public Schools administered more than 2,700 tests last week, Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent said Friday.

None of the tests came back positive, the superintendent said.

"Thanks to all of you for your ongoing vigilance in following our public health and safety protocols," Edouard-Vincent said in a statement. "The virus is not yet defeated, and our continued safety is dependent upon each of us as fellow community members."

Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that school staff will be eligible to register for vaccine appointments at state sites starting March 11, which Edouard-Vincent called a "critical next step" toward the end of the pandemic.

The superintendent said school employees are "eager" to get vaccinated, and more information will be provided to them as it becomes available.

About 25,000 vaccination appointments were booked at CVS from Wednesday to Friday of last week by Massachusetts school employees, WCVB reported.

The push to vaccinate teachers comes as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education granted its head, Jeff Riley, the authority to determine when hybrid and remote models no longer count for learning hours.

Riley has said the aim is to bring back elementary schoolers by April.

Medford is preparing for enhanced in-person learning by asking students in grades 6-12 who have been transferring among Cohorts B, C and D to make a definitive commitment to cohort by Friday, March 12.

Except for remote learning due to COVID-related circumstances, such as symptoms or close contacts, students will be required to attend school in person on their cohort's designated school days.

In-person attendance will be taken for all 6-12 students in Cohorts B and C starting Monday, March 15, and participation in any extracurricular activities will be contingent upon adherence to the in-person attendance and scheduling expectations of each cohort.