COVID-19 Case Spike Prompts New Safety Rules In SoWashCo Schools

WOODBURY, MN — A surge in coronavirus cases is set to trigger increased health and safety procedures in South Washington County elementary schools next week.

The district has reported 779 total cases among students and staff at its two dozen elementary, middle and high schools since the start of the 2021-22 school year.

Nearly 40 percent of the district’s total cases this school year have been recorded over the past three weeks at its elementary schools, with 307 new cases since Oct. 29, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.

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The district’s 16 elementary schools reported weekly increases of 77, 141 and 89 cases over that period, the dashboard shows. Prior to Oct. 29, the largest weekly increase in new cases at South Washington County elementary schools was 30.

The new health and safety measures, which start Nov. 29, will require elementary students to eat meals in their classrooms, limit their movement throughout schools and enjoy recess separately from other classes, officials said.

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South Washington County elementary schools will also restructure student arrival and dismissal procedures, provide more room for social distancing and conduct targeted cleaning, officials said.

The increased healthy and safety measures are due to continue until winter break.

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If new cases continue to climb and trigger the next step on South Washington County Schools’ COVID-19 decision-making criteria plan, all students would be required to learn from home for at least 20 days.