BREAKING NEWS: COVID FORCES OWATONNA AND MEDFORD SCHOOLS TO SHIFT TO DISTANCE LEARNING

The rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases throughout Steele County is forcing Owatonna and Medford Public Schools to shift to distance learning effective Monday.
During a special board meeting Friday, Owatonna board members voted unanimously to transition all grades to distance learning. In addition, the board also decided to delay the start of winter high school activities until it’s deemed safe for students. High school fall activities are planned to continue at least through next week. 
School officials say these changes came about after consulting with the Minnesota Department of Health, Steele County Public Health and the local community incident command team.
Owatonna Schools have seen 21 new COVID cases in the past two weeks and there are currently 40 staff members in quarantine or isolated. 
Meanwhile, Steele County has experienced another COVID-related death, bringing the county’s total number of deaths to five.