Massachusetts not tracking coronavirus outbreaks in schools even as health officials say they're 'inevitable'

The state said it has no formal reporting process for tracking coronavirus outbreaks that have already cropped up in summer school programs, leaving teachers unions wondering how health officials plan to prevent outbreaks considered "inevitable" in the fall. "We are not formally tracking them, but we are trying to notice them as they pop up," said Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spokeswoman Jacqueline Reis. "There is no formal reporting process for schools." Reis said the DESE is still finalizing its guidance as schools shore up their plans for remote, in-person or hybrid learning once classes resume in September. "It's absurd and it's stunning but its also not a surprise," said Merrie Najimy, who leads the Massachusetts Teachers Association.