Gov. Walz: 'Slim' Chance That Schools Will Reopen This Spring

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz said on his daily press call Thursday that there's a "relatively slim" chance that public schools in Minnesota will be able to reopen this spring. The governor indicated that, because of how the new coronavirus continues to spread, students will likely finish out the academic year doing distance learning.

Walz was asked about schools in light of other governors in the nation announcing that in-person classes will be suspended for the remainder of this academic year. He has not yet made a formal decision on the matter, however.

By order of the governor, public schools in Minnesota have been closed since March 18. In-person classes continue to be closed through the governor's "stay at home" order, which ends April 10.

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The number of confirmed deaths related to the new coronavirus is up to 18 in Minnesota, state health officials announced Thursday. That number is up one since Wednesday.

A total of 742 people have so far tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 373 people no longer need to be isolated.

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