Blue flowers

May 20, 2022

Dear Smithfield Staff and Families,

This 35th edition of the Back to School report includes our weekly report on COVID cases and an update on town data.  

A Weekly Report on COVID Cases

Since last week’s report, we have seen a small decrease in the number of cases in our district, but continue to see a rise statewide. There are an additional 37 confirmed COVID cases. This brings our total since our school year began to 1,123 cases. There were 18 cases identified at SHS, 3 cases identified at Gallagher, 11 cases at Pleasant View Elementary, 0 cases at LaPerche Elementary, 4 cases at Old County Road Elementary and 1 case in our School Administration Building. 

Town Data

The number of new weekly COVID cases in Smithfield has doubled in the last two weeks to 98 cases last week.  The number of cases in the state increased to 5075, the highest weekly rate since January. The town rate corresponds to a weekly rate of 445 new cases per 100,000 residents. Our community rate is now considered as having a high level risk for COVID-19 transmission. This data is available at https://bit.ly/2PxCgDM.  

Recommendations

Due to the new designation as a region with high transmission rates, we STRONGLY recommend that staff and students in our schools wear quality, well-fitting masks while indoors and continue to practice good habits such as hand-washing and social distancing when possible.  The health department expects rates to continue to be high and Hasbro is now at full capacity, due both to COVID and to behavioral health issues.  State health officials also recommend vaccination and boosters for those who have already received their initial doses.  Smithfield Emergency Management will be hosting two additional 12+ clinics on May 26th and June 2nd.  More information will be forthcoming.

Sincerely,

Judy Paolucci, Superintendent