Natick Public Schools tout triple threat to test for COVID-19

August 22, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

With Natick families still in summer mode, Natick Public Schools Supt. Dr. Anna Nolin said during this past week’s School Committee meeting that she’s been getting “tense email” from some parents about why NPS isn’t mandating mask wearing to start the school year even though such a mandate has been put in place in conjunction with the Board of Health.

Now Nolin is trying to get the word out about several options that the district will have to test for COVID-19 within its community in an effort to keep people healthy and in school, which starts on Sept. 2. Parents and guardians will be asked consent once for all 3 options, if they are needed. Information on testing and other back-to-school resources are included in an online handbook that’s been shared and is being updated as needed.

The pooled testing used last year by NPS for COVID-19 surveillance did help reduce exposures by infected individuals. But with infection rates so low in town right now along with high vaccination rates cut infection days and exposures back by two days per infected person, the district doesn’t plan to do pooled testing at the start of the school year. However, the state is making this option available for free via a larger vendor, with personnel provided, if Natick’s daily COVID-19 incident rate or other key metrics rise to the point where pooled testing is required (pooled testing is now being called by the state “routine COVID pooled testing” because, you know, that’s somehow easier to understand).

Nolin gave an update on pooled testing and shared info on symptomatic testing and test and stay close contact testing.

During the past school year, if a student suddenly had a symptom that could indicate COVID—or could just be an isolated headache—they’d be sent home to get COVID test. This time around a rapid antigen test will be conducted on school premises, and if the COVID test is negative, the student could stay in school. If they test positive for COVID, they’ll need to go home and get a PCR test to confirm their condition.

Another new testing protocol, test and stay, is “a dream” according to Nolin for families whose lives were disrupted last year when kids were close contacts of those who tested positive for COVID and needed to quarantine even without symptoms. Now they’ll be able to get a quick test at school and remain at school if they show no symptoms. They’ll need to be tested for 5 days from the point of exposure.

NPS would like to host a vaccine clinic for students who are eligible but haven’t received the inoculation yet, and would look to hold clinics for younger students when they become eligible.

More immediately, Natick Public Schools is holding information sessions this week:

Monday, August 23, 2021, 6:00pm

Link to Virtual Meeting

Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 5:00pm

Link to Virtual Meeting

Natick COVID-19 update: Youngest eligible resident vaccination rate shows solid growth

August 16, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The share of Natick’s eligible population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has crept up fron 85% to nearly 86%, with the 20-29 age category now up to 70%, according to weekly data released by the state. Statewide, COVID-19 numbers have started to creep up, as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus infects people, mainly those who are unvaccinated.

Now 74% of Natick’s population has been fully vaccinated, but that includes those under the age of 12 who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Just over 26,500 of about 31,000 Natick residents eligible for the vaccine have now been fully vaccinated, and the state has surpassed 4.4 million fully vaccinated against the disease. About 100 Natick residents joined the ranks of fully vaccinated over the past week.

Natick is nearing 93% of its overall eligible population with at least 1 dose. State data shows the percentage of 12-15-year-olds fully vaccinated has risen from 75% to 78% over the past 2 weeks—that’s a relatively big jump this far into the process. No other age category has seen more than a 1% increase. Those in the 20-29 age range still have the most catching up to do, stuck at 70%—though 78% have now had at least 1 dose.

There are theories as to why this age category is behind, including that college students may have been vaccinated partially in Massachusetts and partially elsewhere or entirely in another state, and that the numbers haven’t been tallied the same as for other categories. There’s also concern nationally that this age group may not feel it’s at as much risk from COVID-19, and they’re not as influenced by parents to get shots as teens would be.

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Natick requiring masks in all town buildings to protect against COVID-19

August 10, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

What’s good for the schools is good for other town buildings when it comes to masks, according to Natick’s Board of Health and Health Department.

Town buildings are now open to the public.

But the Board of Health voted on Monday, in light of growing concern over rising COVID-19 numbers, that you’ll need to wear a mask if you’re working in any town building or visiting one. If you’re working alone in a cubicle with separation from others, you may go maskless.

Some town employees are unvaccinated, though the town isn’t sure of the exact status of all employees or of course the public that might be visiting Town Hall or other buildings.

Natick Public Health Director Jim White said at the Board of Health meeting that there have been COVID-19 outbreaks within departments that have resulted in quarantines and lost work hours.

“To be honest with you, my department is getting tired of dealing with town employees who still refuse to get vaccinated,” he said, recommending that the new rules go into effect on Monday, Aug. 16.

The town will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, as well as vaccination rates, in determining how long to keep these mask rules in place.

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Natick COVID-19 update: 86% of eligible residents vaccinated

July 30, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The share of Natick’s eligible population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has crept up from 85% to nearly 86%, with the 20-29 age category now up to 70%, according to weekly data released by the state. Statewide, COVID-19 numbers have started to creep up, as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus infects people, mainly those who are unvaccinated.

Overall, 73% of Natick’s population has been fully vaccinated, but that includes those under the age of 12 who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Nearly 26,300 of about 31,000 Natick residents eligible for the vaccine have now been fully vaccinated, and the state has surpassed 4.3 million fully vaccinated against the disease. About 100 Natick residents joined the ranks of fully vaccinated over the past week.

Natick is nearing 80% of its overall population with at least 1 dose. State data shows that 94% of 16-19-year-olds in Natick are now fully vaxxed. Those in the 20-29 age range have the most catching up to do, languishing at 70%—though 77% have now had at least 1 dose.

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Natick COVID-19 update: Fully vaxxed settles at 84%

July 17, 2021 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

The share of Natick’s eligible population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is stuck at 84%, with the 20-29 age category the biggest holdup in getting that percentage higher, according to weekly data released by the state. Statewide, COVID-19 numbers have started to creep up, as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus infects people, mainly those who are unvaccinated.

(Note, we updated this post to reflect the overall percentage of those vaccinated who are eligible. Previously, we had reported that 72% of Natick residents have been fully vaccinated, based on the state data shown below, but that’s of a total population that includes those under the age of 12 and who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.)

More than 26,000 of about 31,000 Natick residents eligible for the vaccine have now been fully vaccinated, and the state is approaching 4.3 million fully vaccinated against the disease.

Natick is nearing 80% of its overall population with at least 1 dose. State data shows that 93% of 16-19-year-olds in Natick are now fully vaxxed. Those in the 20-29 age range have the most catching up to do, languishing at 69%—though 76% have now had at least 1 dose.

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