Rising COVID Cases in Dodge County Prompt K-M School Changes
Kasson, MN (KROC-AM News) - An increase in the transmission of COVID-19 in Dodge County and the possibility of "in school" transmission of the virus has prompted an area school district to make a change in its learning model.
The Kasson-Mantorville School Board has voted to shift to a hybrid model for students in the 7th through 12th grades. The switch from in-person learning will take place next Monday and remain in effect until further notice. The Kasson-Mantorville School District will continue using the in-person learning model for its pre-K through 6th-grade students.
The School Board voted to make the change after receiving a report from Dodge County Public Health that indicated testing identified 21 new COVID-19 cases in Dodge County over the weekend. 8 of the new cases involve people ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old. According to the notice of the change that was sent to Kasson-Mantorville students and their families, the jump in the number of new cases has been attributed to people gathering for Mantorville Days and a number of recent house parties.
Statewide, the Minnesota Department of Health today reported 817 new COVID-19 infections were detected by the approximately 15,250 tests that were completed on Monday for a positivity rate of about 5.3-percent. 18 of the new cases were found in Olmsted County.
State health officials say another five people in Minnesota have died after contracting COVID-19. One of the deaths reported today involved a resident of Mower County who was in their late 80s.