News Brief: COVID-19 updates from the superintendent

WPS+shows+a+decrease+in+COVID-19+cases+from+the+previous+week.+However%2C+the+mask+mandate+will+still+be+enforced+for+the+following+week.

Credit: Courtesy of email sent by WPS superintendent Omar Easy

WPS shows a decrease in COVID-19 cases from the previous week. However, the mask mandate will still be enforced for the following week.

Nadya Chase
May 22, 2022

In superintendent Omar Easy’s bi-weekly letter to Wayland Public School families sent on Sunday, May 22, he highlighted the change in COVID-19 cases since the previous week, the mask mandate for this upcoming week and Wayland’s current incidence rate.

Throughout the week of May 15 to May 22, there have been a total of 79 student cases, with 17 cases from WHS. This is a decrease of 56 student cases from the week of May 9 to May 15, during which there were 153 student cases.

“This week’s data is showing that we may be close to the end of this COVID-19 spike in our schools,” Easy wrote in his email. “However, it is important to note that the Town of Wayland has the second highest incidence rate in Middlesex County.”

The town of Wayland currently has the second highest incidence rate in in the Middlesex County with 90.8 per 100,000 residents. On the map, the darker blue signifies higher incidence rates. (Credit: Courtesy of email sent by WPS superintendent Omar Easy)

At the moment, Wayland is at an incidence rate of 90.8 per 100,000 residents. This is a change from the formerly reported incidence rate of 48.1 per 100,000.

For the following week, WPS will be enforcing a mask mandate once again. All students and staff will be required to wear a mask while indoors, with the exception of while they are eating or drinking. The decision around enforcing masks at WPS will be reevaluated each week.

“As a district, we are trying to prevent the extension of the school year and ensure the health and safety of our students and staff,” Easy said. “We will continue to monitor WPS positive case counts and work collaboratively with our nurses and Health Department to assess, analyze and implement mitigation strategies.”