Dickinson County public schools will go back to virtual learning starting Monday through Nov. 22 on the recommendation of local health officials.

The four area school districts — Breitung Township, Iron Mountain, Norway-Vulcan and North Dickinson County — only resumed in-person classes this week, again on the advice of the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department, which last Thursday cited a significant drop in COVID-19 positives in not recommending to extend the previous two-week shutdown past Oct. 30.

“Unfortunately, since that date, we have again experienced an increase in COVID-19 activity within Dickinson County,” the DIDHD said in a written statement today.

The DIDHD has identified 211 new COVID-19 cases since Oct. 29, including some among students and staff in local schools, according to the statement.

The DIDHD added that Dickinson County Healthcare System in a call today indicated bed capacity at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital was being expanded due to COVID-19 needs.

The DIDHD also recommended contact sports “be avoided at this time to protect our students, coaches and our community.” Both Iron Mountain and Kingsford teams are still competing in the high school football playoffs.

For more on this developing story, see Friday’s Daily News or check back at www.ironmountaindailynews.com.