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Updates since last discussion

Expanded CPS COVID-19 Dashboard

The Cambridge Public Health Department and the Cambridge Public Schools �are collaborating to expand the COVID-19 Dashboard to keep the Cambridge community up to date on the level of risk in the community.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases among:

Among in-person staff and in-person students
At the district and school level
For the previous week and cumulatively since schools opened for in-person learning on 10/13

Rates of staff participation in COVID-19 testing

Among in-person staff
For the previous week and a monthly average
At the district and school level

About the data:

Data will be provided by the Cambridge Public Health Department

Will be reported in alignment with the policy of the Cambridge Public Health Department, to protect individual privacy:

0 cases = report “0 cases”
1- 4 cases = report “1 - 4 cases”
5+ cases = report the exact number of cases

In addition to the current public �health metrics, the Dashboard will �be expanded to include:

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School Committee - Special Meeting�November 12, 2020

Previously presented:

Recommended metrics

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Summary of Reopening Contingencies

Routine testing and surveillance testing plan for anyone returning �to classrooms

Frequent evaluation and adaptation of key metrics, including those centered on equity & vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19

Review planned for October 2020

Adoption of the safety and facilities manual and ensure there are no spaces used that do not meet guidelines/requirements

Vote is subject is change as the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and changes to this reopening plan may be necessary, and must continue to improve centering the voices of educators, families, and scholars

Plan for scholars in substantially separate programs co-created by special educators, families of those in substantially separate classrooms, with the administration and COVID-19 Task Force experts as scholars and professionals in these rooms are at greater risk of COVID-19 and face the greatest challenges to remote and in person learning.

Discussion on childcare options for families and educators during remote learning (with the City Council, CDHS, �and City of Cambridge) �
Co-created social emotional learning, mental and behavioral health plan for all scholars developed by educators, staff, out �of school time professionals, scholars and families for in person �and remote learning.

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Recommendations from CPS Scientific Advisors

October 29, 2020

Bradley Bernstein, MD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital, �Broad Institute & CPS Parent

Jill Crittenden, PhD�MIT; Co-chair, COVID-19 Cambridge Expert Advisory Panel; Member, N95Decon.org & CPS Parent

Keith Marzilli Ericson, PhD�BU Questrom School of Business & �CPS Parent

Helen Jenkins, PhD�BU School of Public Health & �CPS parent

Jamie Lichtenstein, PhD�Emerson College & CPS parent

Reviewed metrics, updated evidence, and CPS practices

Proposed updated metrics �and related recommendations (See full letter on website)

Discussed and passed unanimously by Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee �on 10/30/20

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New Evidence

More Substantial Data about SARS-CoV-2 Risks

Spread within schools using mitigation strategies is uncommon
Young children are less susceptible
Cases of school-based spread have occurred in crowded middle and high school classrooms where students not wearing masks (Israel, Georgia, Utah)
New evidence supporting the effectiveness of universal face-masking in controlling spread

Specific Evidence from CPS’s �Limited Reopening: �

Recommended safety measures effectively implemented

Masking
Ventilation remediation & monitoring,
Surveillance testing
Hand hygiene�

Surveillance testing of staff assess prevalence, including among non-Cambridge residents

Was not in place when initial metrics set
1300+ tests performed
very few positives
Positives not traced to in-school transmission
CPHD provided immediate guidance .

High testing availability in Cambridge
Waste water metrics that provide a separate assessment of virus prevalence, will soon be published for Cambridge.

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	Current Metrics & �Closure Guidelines	Proposed �Updates
Metric 1: Daily New Cases	Fewer than 25 new cases per day, per 100,000 people (weighted average for Suffolk County and Middlesex County) �(7-day average)	Fewer than 25 new cases per day per 100,000 people (in Cambridge)(7-day average)
Metric 2: �Test �Positivity	Less than 5% of COVID-19 tests �are positive in Massachusetts (7-day average)	Less than 5% of COVID-19 tests �are positive in Cambridge �(7-day average)
Metric 3: Sewage Wastewater	COVID-19 in wastewater detected at < 100 copies viral genomes/mL.	No current change. �Will discuss change if local Cambridge data becomes available.

Recommendations: Updated Metrics

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	Current Metrics & Closure Guidelines	Proposed �Updates
Closure	If two of three metrics exceed “acceptable” level described, CPS shifts to remote only learning.	No change. If two of three metrics exceed �“acceptable” level described, CPS �shifts to remote only learning.
Reopening	Not specified.	Schools remain closed for at least �1 week. In-person education resumes �when either one or no metrics exceed threshold for 7 consecutive days.
Surveillance Testing for Students	Not specified.	Offer surveillance testing to older �students when prevalence is high.
Timing �to Revisit Metrics	October 2020	January 2021

Recommendations: Additional Guidelines

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