MDH school data shows COVID-19 cases rising in a third of Minnesota counties

Despite progress in the fight to stop COVID-19, some concerns are surfacing over the return to in-person learning.

One school in Edina has returned to distance learning. At Our Lady of Grace, a K-8 Catholic school in Edina, in-school learning is on pause.

The school’s 660 students are distance learning at home due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Father Kevin Finnegan said 3% of the population was out due to cases, contact or quarantine.

While he hopes to have students back in classrooms next week, with spring break here, some are wondering if a pause leading up to or after will help slow the spread of any possible cases.

In Edina Public Schools, the superintendent sent a message home to families stating, "We have growing concern about the uptick of COVID-19 cases in the Edina community."

The message added, "This is the third consecutive week that Edina’s numbers have increased."

In the elementary schools recently, three students tested positive, 126 students were out with COVID-19 symptoms and 152 were close contacts and in quarantine, the superintendent said.

At the secondary level, 19 students tested positive, 67 were out due to COVID-19 symptoms and 52 were close contacts and in quarantine.

"Superintendents are very concerned. They’ve been talking about spring break ever since we finished up with winter break," said Deb Henton, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

Data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows, of the 87 counties in the state, roughly one-third — or 32 — are seeing an increase in their 14-day case rate.

"We’re very concerned. We want to watch those numbers on a regular basis, we know there’s been an outbreak in a few counties with the variants, and so we are definitely watching those numbers carefully," Henton said.

As more of the state opens up for business, school districts are discussing options in the event that COVID-19 cases rise in their buildings.

"They have discussed amongst themselves whether they should have a pause after their spring break or whether or not they should maintain the current schedule that they have in place," Henton said.