LYNN — The city’s public school district has seen COVID-19 cases more than double since students returned after Thanksgiving break.
On Dec.1, the district recorded a total of 82 positive cases among students and 19 among teachers, compared to 32 among students and nine among teachers from the week before Thanksgiving break.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said he believes this rise in cases is due to people gathering indoors over the holiday.
“Districtwide, we’ve been seeing increasing numbers, much as has been seen statewide,” Tutwiler said.
This past week, from Dec. 1-8, the district recorded a total number of 98 cases. Lynn English High School had the most positive cases this past week, recording a total of 12, while Hood Elementary School saw 11 positive cases.
The district notifies all close contacts of those who test positive.
These numbers can be found on the district’s website, at lynnschools.org/departments/healthservices_covid_dashboard, and are updated every Wednesday.
Lynn Public Health Director Michele Desmarais said this rise in cases was expected to happen as people returned to school after the break.
“As people returned home for the holiday and gathered indoors, once one person gets it and brings it home it could go through the whole family,” Desmarais said. “Especially now that people are doing things more indoors and a lot of people have let their guard down.”
As Christmas approaches, and people will gather again for parties and indoor celebrations, Desmarais advised people to get vaccinated, get their booster shots, and wear masks.
“We’re seeing the effect from everybody being together at Thanksgiving,” Desmarais said. “I highly emphasize that if people do not feel well, then they should not go to work or school, and they should reach out to go get tested.”
COVID-19 testing is available, for free, at the Project Beacon site on Blossom Street Extension.
North Shore Community College will also begin hosting a testing site on Monday, operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For vaccines, the district is hosting vaccine clinics at some of the schools. One such clinic was held at Harrington Elementary School last week and another one is scheduled to be at Ingalls Elementary School on Dec. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m.
City Hall is also hosting vaccine clinics for Lynn and Nahant residents on Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and Monday from 4 to 7 p.m
While walk-ins are welcome, it is recommended to make an appointment online at www.lynnma.gov/covid19/vaccine.shtml or by calling 781-598-4000 and asking for the Public Health Department.
“Vaccinations are highly recommended and encouraged,” Desmarais said. “I think that for us to even have a chance to end this pandemic, everybody needs to try to get vaccinated.”
