Dear Smithfield Staff and Families,
This 42nd edition of the Return to School report includes our weekly report on COVID cases, town data, and an update on asymptomatic testing for those fully vaccinated.
A Weekly Report on COVID Cases
Seven (7) COVID have been added to our total case report this past week. Three cases were from SHS, two were from GMS, one from McCabe, and one from LaPerche. This brings our total number of cases to 340 since the start of the school year.
Vaccination Clinics at SHS
The Town of Smithfield hosted two (2) vaccination clinics for all students 16+ (public, private and Bryant University), staff and their families. Clinics for the second doses for those participating has also been planned. All Rhode Islanders age 16 and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine and we anticipate approval for younger students in the upcoming weeks.
The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your family from the coronavirus disease. Vaccination, along with continued efforts to wear facial coverings, social distance, and hand washing is our best defense against COVID-19. If you missed the school clinic, consider getting vaccinated at CVS or Walgreens or at any of the state-run clinics.
Asymptomatic Testing
Fully vaccinated persons are now exempt from asymptomatic testing. Research is showing that the risk of infection and transmission is very small for those who have been vaccinated. This means that biweekly testing for teachers will be suspended, student athletes will not be required to test weekly, and prom-goers will not need to be tested once they are fully vaccinated (2 weeks after the last dose).
Town Data
Great news! New COVID cases in Smithfield dropped nearly in half a week ago then nearly in half again - to 32 for this past week. This latest figure corresponds to a daily rate of 4.6 new cases per 21,650 residents or 21.1 per 100,000 in a day or a 148 per 100,000 weekly rate. This data is available at https://bit.ly/2PxCgDM.
Sincerely,
Judy Paolucci, Superintendent