Free COVID Tests Available from the Watertown Health Department

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

Before you gather for the holidays, plan ahead and get FREE COVID-19 antigen test kits which are available in Watertown City Hall. Stop by the Health Department on the first floor in City Hall at 149 Main St., Watertown and pick some up! City Hall Hours:

Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note that City Hall closes at noon on December 23, and is closed on December 26, 2022, and January 2, 2023. Information about the Health Department can be found here.

COVID Cases in Watertown Schools Went Beyond What Officials Expected, New Protocols Discussed

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Watertown Public Schools was beyond what officials expected, and the way that pool testing will be administered has changed so not as many students need to be retested. Superintendent Dede Galdston discussed the upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the schools, and the steps being taken to prevent the spread. She added that the number of positive cases in the week after Winter Break, 193, was by far the most seen in the Watertown Schools since the pandemic began. “What we experienced last week was not something any of us were prepared for. I am not sure any of us in any district were truly prepared for what happened last week,” Galdston said, who told the School Committee that she is in quarantine herself after testing positive for COVID-19.

Watertown Schools Opening Late Wednesday, Over 100 Positive COVID Tests

The Watertown Public Schools had more than 100 positive COVID-19 tests after retesting on Tuesday. Classes will start late on Wednesday. The positive tests were more than 10 times more than has been seen in the Watertown Schools, said Superintendent Dede Galdston. The arrival time for Watertown Schools are: 10 a.m. for Early Steps Preschool, 10:15 a.m. for the elementary schools, and 10:30 a.m. for the middle and high schools. See more details in the letter sent out by Galdston on Tuesday:

Good evening, WPS Community:

We deeply appreciate your patience today as we appropriately responded to the overnight Covid pool test results.

Watertown Schools Closed Tuesday to Process COVID Pool Testing from First Day Back

The Watertown Public Schools were closed on what was to be the second day back from winter vacation so that COVID-19 tests can processed and those testing positive can be notified. On Monday, Jan. 3, students and staff were tested on the first day after the break. Originally, Tuesday was going to be an early-release day, but Superintendent Dede Galdston announced that schools would be closed so that people who tested positive can be notified. The Superintendent sent out the following announcement:

Good morning,

As we process our pool testing, we have made the decision to close schools for today, Tuesday, January 4.