FREEMAN PUBLIC ALTERS INSTRUCTION FOLLOWING POSITIVE CASE OF COVID

A positive case of COVID-19 inside the Freeman Middle School-High School building has prompted school administration to alter instruction for the remainder of the week, and possibly into the coming weeks.

In-person instruction has been suspended for students in grades 4-12 Thursday and Friday, Nov. 5 and 6, with remote learning set to take place on Friday.

Additionally, most students in grades 5-9 are considered close contacts with the positive case and, per guidelines from the CDC — which Freeman Public is following — have been quarantined for the next two weeks. They will learn remotely until restrictions are lifted on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

In a message sent to parents Thursday morning, Nov. 5, Superintendent Kevin Kunz said the decision came after an investigation that included consultation with the South Dakota Department of Health.

Freeman Public has not determined a plan for instruction next week for students outside of grades 5-9, but Kunz told The Courier students may be given a choice between in-person and online instruction, which was the plan this week before the middle school/high school building was closed on Thursday following the confirmed case of COVID-19.

The development comes as cases continue to rise dramatically at both a local and state level. The Department of Health on Thursday reported 40 new cases in the tri-county area, including an increase of 13 active cases in Hutchinson County. Confirmed and probable cases statewide increased by 1,360 from yesterday, bringing the overall total to 51,151. Of those, 13,610 are active.

Total COVID-19-related deaths in South Dakota have increased by 24 from yesterday, bringing the total to 482.