St. Marys School District has opted to extend remote learning due to COVID-19 case counts in Elk County.

Information shared via social media wished students and families happy holidays, then delivered the news.

“In reviewing the information from the Department of Health and Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Elk County community spread continues to be a serious concern. Our goal is to keep the spread of the disease out of our schools,” said Dr. G. Brian Toth, superintendent of St. Marys School District, via social media. “Given the worsening virus conditions nationally and across the state, and predictions of increased hospitalization rates in Pennsylvania in the coming weeks, we are making the decision to delay in-person instruction, after Christmas break until January 11th to best protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. Our decision is also in alignment with the recent health and safety recommendations and will permit an additional quarantine period after the holiday gatherings.”

Elk County has had 790 confirmed cases of COVID-19, as of Wednesday. The state health department reports another 417 probable cases and 13 deaths due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, the county has a total of 4,452 negative tests reported as of the third week of December.