SWAMPSCOTT — Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald is urging caution after a spike in COVID-19 cases at Swampscott High School that caused the school to go back into remote learning until at least April 5.
“I know that people are absolutely exhausted and I totally get how challenging it is to see some people be vaccinated and see things start to return to normal, and not have the ability to enjoy some of those freedoms that we all have missed dearly,” Fitzgerald said in the Select Board meeting on Thursday night. “We’re still in a really difficult pandemic. There are folks that are continuing to get COVID-19 and there are folks that are getting really, really sick. We have to encourage everyone to continue to wear your mask, follow your personal responsibilities to just be safe.”
The outbreak occurred following a house party attended by high school students, according to Allie Fiske, director of communications for the town. At least 20 people associated with the event have tested positive for COVID.
The town ran a mobile testing site at the high school on Monday for students and faculty at the school, where 121 people were tested. As of Friday, 29 people have tested positive at the high school, according to the district’s COVID data dashboard. District-wide, 35 people have tested positive in the month of March, with only one of those occurring before March 17.
Fiske said that at least 100 people have been identified as being in close contact with someone who was at the party, and are now quarantining.
“I’m sympathetic to our youth that really miss being around friends, but we can’t gather in large groups,” Fizgerald said. “It’s important for folks to understand that these gatherings put our entire community at risk, entire programs at risk. It’s unfair for many of our young students not to be able to participate in sports and have in-person learning, so let’s all double our efforts and get tested.”
Tréa Lavery can be reached at [email protected].
