WESTPORT — As the rate of COVID infections in Westport’s public schools falls and the state appears poised to end the mandate requiring mask wearing in all schools, Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice said he plans to recommend that the local mask mandate also be lifted.

Scarice, in an emailed statement Friday night, said that taking both factors into account, he plans to recommend that the Board of Education — at a special meeting possibly Wednesday, Feb. 16 — approve ending the mask mandate as soon as Feb. 28. That’s the date the state legislature is expected to endorse next week, in line with Gov. Ned Lamont’s decision to end his executive order requiring masks in all school buildings across the state.

The school board heard a preliminary report on the expected end to the mask mandate at its meeting earlier this week.

COVID infections in Westport schools drop “precipitously”

Daily COVID infection rates have dropped “precipitously” over the past few weeks, Scarice said. “We have averaged just over five new daily cases out of over 6,000 individuals [including all students and staff] this week.”

In addition, “our recent weekly serial testing of 539 students surfaced only two positive cases on Monday,” he said.

A total of 23 confirmed COVID cases were reported among Westport students and staff for the just-ended week, according to the school district’s  COVID dashboard, down from 47 cases the preceding week.

Another factor to consider in ending the mask mandate, the superintendent noted, is that vaccination rates in Westport, “even across our student population, are among the highest in the state. In addition, as a result of the widespread infection rate of the Omicron variant, many have also developed natural immunity.”  

Other safeguards still warranted

But, Scarice cautioned, “It is important to note as the pandemic continues to evolve, it will be necessary to maintain mitigating measures. Ventilation, social distancing, hand hygiene, weekly testing and self-isolation when testing positive, all continue to be effective means in controlling virus spread.”

The school district will “continue to implement these measures to the extent possible,” he said.

Feds continue to require masks on school buses

Scarice also noted the mask mandate for students on school buses — imposed under a federal transportation policy — will continue regardless of what state and local officials decide about mask-wearing rules in school buildings. That policy will continue until it is changed by federal officials.

Individual choices on mask wearing to be respected

Acknowledging that “the pandemic, vaccines and masking have become polarizing topics,” Scarice said that if the mask mandate ends Feb. 28, families will then be able to make personal decisions on whether their children continue to wear masks to school.

“When that happens,” Scarice said, “we are committed to supporting the personal choice of each individual student and staff member, and to protecting everyone in our school community from unwelcome comments and behaviors.

“To that end, we will be providing resources and talking points next week as a support.”