Which Minnesota Schools Are Encouraged To Stay Closed?

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health Thursday released parameters they want schools to meet before fully reopening in the fall. The recommended model of education — distance learning, hybrid, or in-person — depends on how many coronavirus cases are reported in the county.

Recommendations are made based on the number of cases by county over 14 days per 10,000 people.

For example, the case rate for Washington County from July 5 to July 18 shows a 14.84 case rate. That means in-person learning for elementary students and hybrid learning for secondary students is recommended for Washington County schools.

Also read: Eagan Schools In District 196 Will Use 'Hybrid Learning' Model

Below you will find the Minnesota Department of Health recommendations for number of cases per 10,000 over 14 days (by county):

• 0-9 cases: In-person learning for all students
• 10-19 cases: In-person learning for elementary students; hybrid learning for secondary students recommended
• 20-29 cases: Hybrid learning for all students recommended
• 30-49 cases: Hybrid learning for elementary students; distance learning for secondary students recommended
• 50 or more cases: Distance learning for all students recommended

Find the case rate for all Minnesota counties in the document below:

"Any increase in case incidence can represent a greater risk, but schools may consider a 14-day case rate of 10 or more cases per 10,000 to be an elevated risk of disease transmission within the local community," states the Minnesota Department of Health, "especially when the level of cases per week is sustained or increasing over time."

All schools that do open during the school year must follow public health guidelines on masks, social distancing, personal hygiene, screening, and cleaning practices.

Minnesota's departments of education and health will work with school districts throughout the school year to help districts decide if and when they need to dial between learning models depending on the progression and cause of the virus in their specific community.

Read more: Gov. Walz Announces 'Safe Learning Plan' For Minnesota Schools