The number of new COVID-19 cases in the largest city in western Massachusetts remains low, but officials are concerned that could change as local colleges welcome students back. Springfield city officials have met with college administrators to go over their plans for testing, contact tracing, quarantining, and isolating students as they bid to prevent the type of “super spreader” events that have plagued the reopening of college campuses in other parts of the country. American International College, Springfield College, and Western New England University have brought students back to campus. Helen Caulton-Harris, the city’s Commissioner of Health and Human Services, visited campuses over the weekend as students were settling in and said she was pleased with what she witnessed, not seeing one student or staff member who was not wearing protective face coverings.

The entire interview with Springfield officials is available at WAMC-Northeast Public Radio.