WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester Public Schools are offering vaccinations to help keep students safe from the coronavirus. 

Vaccines were given out at middle and high schools in the city last week. The district is also hoping to combat the spread of COVID-19 by offering drive-thru testing at one local school for anyone with or without symptoms.

Safety Director of Worcester Public Schools Rob Pezzella says low COVID case numbers could be a result of more students being vaccinated. 

"In regards to the numbers, we are not seeing high numbers that could be due to a number of reasons. Number one we provided these clinics in the spring of last year. We had a very large turnout, and over the summer, there were many opportunities for our students to get tested as well, so coming into the fall now, as we provide these again, we are seeing that the numbers are diminishing, but that can be a good sign," said Pezzella. 

An emergency order in the city of Worcester requires students and staff to wear masks indoors and on school transportation.