Cohasset cancels high school graduation after ‘prom-like party’ sparks COVID-19 concerns

Cohasset High School graduation has been canceled after a recent gathering drew nearly 30 students, plus some parents, sparking COVID-19 transmission concerns.In a letter sent out to families, Superintendent of Schools Patrick Sullivan and Cohasset High School Principal Brian Scott said the town’s Board of Health had confirmed the event did happen, and said that canceling the ceremony, set for Friday, “is the most prudent course of action at this time.”“Considering the proximity of the July 25th event to the August 7th graduation event, and the known incubation period of up to 14 days for COVID-19, even requiring testing could not ensure that the virus isn’t being carried into the event,” the letter said. “In the wake of the news Friday, several families and staff have expressed concern regarding preexisting conditions of graduates, staff, parents, or other attendees and have elected not to attend graduation. That families or staff must choose to stay home is unfair, and the antithesis of the inclusive community that we have tried to build.”
As of Friday, there were no known cases that resulted from the gathering, according to a news release from Cohasset Town Manager Christopher Senior. The gathering was said to be a ‘prom-like party’ and happened at a home in town.“According to photos of the event that have surfaced on social media, many of those in attendance were not wearing face coverings and were not keeping six-foot social distancing,” the news release said. The town was asking those who attended the gathering to be tested for the virus.“We have seen how larger gatherings have led to outbreaks of the virus in other parts of the state and across the country, and we urge all residents to help keep Cohasset safe by following these common sense guidelines,” Senior said in the release.After a recent party, at least eight Falmouth lifeguards tested positive for COVID-19. In Chatham, at least 13 people had tested positive for the virus after a house party drew between 30 and 50 people, many of them workers at local restaurants.