MATTAPOISETT — After seeing a sharp increase in covid cases, one Center School classroom will begin to learn remotely, the Old Rochester Regional School District announced Friday.

A high number of covid cases has been identified among students in a second grade classroom at the school through its participation in the state's Symptomatic and Test and Stay testing options.

No further information is available about the outbreak, but the Old Rochester Regional School District reported through its covid dashboard that 11 Center School students tested positive between Sept. 24 and 30.

The Old Rochester Regional School District worked with the Mattapoisett Board of Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to decide to have the students in the affected classroom learn remotely following the outbreak.

"Given the multiple positive cases and subsequent close contacts in one classroom, we believe it is in the best interest of all of our Center School students and staff for those students to learn remotely for the appropriate time period in accordance with state protocols," Principal Rose Bowman said. "We appreciate the continued cooperation and understanding of our school community and encourage our Center School families to reach out with any questions or concerns."

Based on the appropriate quarantine and isolation periods, the affected students are currently expected to be able to return to school on Oct. 12.

Students that have been identified as a close contact were contacted by the school nurse and provided close contact protocols. All students in the affected classroom and their families will be provided with remote learning resources.

"The health and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority and we have many protocols in place to respond to situations like this," Superintendent Mike Nelson said.

The school district recommends that families monitor their children’s health and be alert for covid-like symptoms, including fever, cough, respiratory illness, vomiting, fatigue, body ache, sore throat and chills.

The Old Rochester Regional School District’s weekly covid dashboard can be found here, alongside information regarding covid protocols and guidelines.