NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Public Schools have seen no further transmission after the school officials learned last week that a student had tested positive for COVID-19. 

 

"The district is happy to report that the Public Health Nurse has informed our School Nurse Leader that all testing and follow up has been completed regarding the COVID-19 positive case," the school system posted on its Facebook page.  "No other positive cases have been identified. All staff members and students who were notified to isolate through contact tracing are cleared to return to school on Monday, October 19, 2020 to the hybrid model for Track/Cohort A. Thank you."

 

Superintendent Barbara Malkas last week said the single positive case was limited to a classroom and adjacent bathrooms, all of which were sanitized, and that everyone in contact with the individual was informed. 

 

The school's hybrid system is set up to limit transmission of the novel coronavirus dividing the classes into cohorts and having them in the schools two days each. Each class is relegated to a single classroom allowing for social distancing and lunches are eaten in the classroom as well to prevent spread. 

 

North Adams is believed to be the first public school system to confirm a case of COVID-19. The private Pine Cobble School closed for two weeks in September after an outbreak resulting in seven cases. Williams College has had a total of five positive cases since Aug. 17, and none in the past two weeks; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has had three total, none in the past week. Berkshire Community College has so far had one case.