Coronavirus pandemic conditions call for middle and high schools to remain closed in only two Minnesota counties, according to a weekly report released Thursday.
The report, which gives the number of new coronavirus cases per 10,000 residents for each county, is meant to be only a starting point for public school officials as they consider whether they can safely bring students back to school under state guidelines.
No county needs to keep all of its schools closed, and only Rock and Red Lake counties should keep their secondary students learning from home, the new data suggest.
Compared to last week’s report, conditions in 14 counties have improved to the point where more students can safely learn in-person.
However, 11 counties should consider a more cautious model compared to last week. Those include Ramsey County, whose new case rate ticked up to 22 new cases per 10,000 residents.
Most of the state’s larger public school districts have elected to start the year with students taking in-person classes only part-time, typically two days a week, even as the new case rates suggest they can safely offer more in-person instruction.
Several are starting the year with distance learning exclusively, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, North St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale, Robbinsdale and St. Louis Park.
But most private schools, which are not bound by state guidelines, are offering in-person classes every day to all students, according to Pioneer Press research.
Public school districts must provide full-time distance learning to any enrolled student, according to Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order. Some private schools offer that option, as well.
