UK Coronavirus Variant Found In Reading

READING, MA — A coronavirus variant thought to be more infectious has been found in Reading, school officials said. In a message to families Sunday, Superintendent John Doherty said the Reading Health Department was informed that UK COVID strain B.1.1.7 appeared in town.

"It is critically important that we all continue all of the COVID preventive measures (distancing and masking) so as to prevent these variants, or any other mutations, from taking hold and creating their own outbreaks," Doherty said.

It is believed that vaccines are effective against the B.1.1.7 strain. Two other variants present in Massachusetts – B.1.1.3.5 and P.1. – are not covered by a vaccine, Doherty added.

The Reading Public Schools will continue with its reopening plan, which calls for the full return of elementary schoolers April 5 and middle and high school students April 26. Masks will be required in all school buildings at least until the end of the school year.

"Even though more and more staff are getting vaccinated, masks protect those who have not been vaccinated because vaccinated individuals can still carry the virus and transmit it to others," Doherty said.

Face-covering guidance allows students to take their masks off at lunch or outside on a mask break and staff members to unmask when they are alone in their classroom, at lunch, in an office setting or outside on a mask break.

Teachers are asked to keep their windows and classroom doors open to improve air flow as the weather gets warmer.