Sharon Reports Student Coronavirus Case, Will Begin Pilot Testing

SHARON, MA — Sharon Public Schools reported on Thursday that a staff member at Sharon High School has tested positive for coronavirus.

According to a letter to families from Superintendent of Schools Meg Dussault, those who came in close contact with the staff member have been notified and the school will continue to help the affected individuals.

"Though we cannot provide specific information about our community member who tested positive, your child was not a close contact (defined as being within 6 feet of the person for at least 15 minutes) of the affected person," wrote Dussault. "We ask that you all continue to monitor your child on a daily basis for symptoms, and keep your child home if he/she/they shows any symptoms or is not feeling well."

The new positive case was announced just days ahead of the launch of the district's new COVID-19 testing initiative, which will begin Monday, Jan. 11 and run until Thursday, Feb. 4. Sharon Public Schools will be using the Ginkgo Bioworks Concentric pooled testing pilot program and will require a consent form for each participant.

"I hope you will join me in participating in this pilot," said Dussault. "It is a wonderful opportunity to gather information that will only serve to further secure everyone's safety."

According to the latest statistics released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Jan. 7, Sharon has experienced a total of 475 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 80 reported in the last two weeks. The town has an average daily incidence rate of 31.3 and a 4.62% positivity rate.