Richmond Public Schools reported this week 241 positive cases of COVID-19, while Henrico County Public Schools reported 570 positive cases.

Both school systems have been monitoring COVID-19 cases since the school year began on Sept. 8. Updates are provided weekly on their websites.

Richmond’s current data was not broken down by school or whether the infections were among students or staff. Superin- tendent Jason Kamras noted that to the best of his knowledge, only three of the current cases were from in-school transmission. He said in about 98 percent of the cases, transmission occurred outside of school.

After the first week of school, RPS reported 128 positive cases as of Sept. 15, including 114 students, 13 staff members and one volunteer.

For parents keeping their children at home because of COVID-19, Mr. Kamras said he understands the anxiety and fear associated with the virus.

“I do want to note the data does show RPS schools, by and large, are safe for our children and much safer than in the community,” Mr. Kamras said. “We will welcome any of those children back into the classroom.”

He also encouraged people to get vaccinated, wear a mask and maintain social distancing as much as possible.

According to documents from the RPS administration, of the district’s 4,460 employees, only 45 percent have provided proof of full vaccination or been exempt from the requirement for vac- cination. The remaining 55 percent of employees are required to get vaccinated before the Friday, Oct. 1, deadline.

Mr. Kamras said in a social media update that RPS teachers and staff who don’t meet the mandate could be fired.