South metro school district switching to distance learning due to high COVID-19 levels

The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District announced Monday it will switch to distance learning starting on Wednesday due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the surrounding community.

Among the reasons for the transition are high levels of community transmission among children ages 5-19, rising case counts in schools, and evidence of transmission within schools. The school will hold remote classes through Dec. 3.

The school district said taking a break from in-person learning as students are headed into Thanksgiving break will eliminate contact for 12 days while only affecting six days of class.

Over the past week, Dakota County has seen a 17% increase in COVID-19 infections, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over in Scott County, there’s been a 29% increase in positive cases.

Earlier this school year, Edison High School in Minneapolis made a similar decision to move to distance learning after 67% of students were exposed to the coronavirus, school officials said.

And just last week, Shakopee Public Schools canceled classes altogether for two days to contain skyrocketing COVID-19 case rates.