A spike of COVID-19 positive cases on Washington Island is forcing its school students to stay away from the building for at least the next two weeks.  The Washington Island School Board made the decision earlier this week to keep the students at home for remote instruction through January 15th. School officials on Wednesday delivered Chromebooks and other instructional materials to its students so they could work from home. School Board President Amy Jorgenson knows a few of their families have been impacted by the increase in positive cases on the island and says the decision was made to protect all of its students, parents, and staff members.

Washington Island officials announced last weekend it would be closing its town hall and police station while altering some of its other services as a result of the outbreak. Jorgenson says a decision will be made by January 15th on whether or not virtual instruction will continue or if they can come back to school on January 18th.