Lehighton Area School District students will spend a week in a virtual learning environment following winter break.

All students in all buildings will attend school from home Jan. 4-8 in what Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver called a “proactive move.”

“Our intent is to attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among our staff and students upon returning to school after the winter break,” he said in a letter.

The letter indicated the number of positive COVID-19 tests affecting both students and staff in the district continues to rise. Both Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network, Cleaver said, have predicted an increase in cases in the community after winter break due to travel and gatherings.

“The district administration and our school nurses will be continuing to monitor the health and safety of the district over winter break,” Cleaver said.

He encouraged parents to contact the principal or school nurse for their child if someone in the household is tested for COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19 or has come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

“You will be contacted by a school official to discuss your child’s return to school,” Cleaver wrote to parents. “We can mitigate the spread of the virus in our schools and community by wearing a face covering, social distancing, practicing good hygiene and adhering to the guidance regarding travel and gatherings with people not habitually together. These measures remain critical in order for our Lehighton students to return to in-person instruction on Jan. 11.”

Tamaqua Superintendent Ray Kinder said Tuesday the district will have asynchronous virtual days districtwide on Jan. 4 and 5.

On Jan. 6-8, synchronous learning will be held for secondary and asynchronous for elementary students.

“The reason for the virtual days during the week of Jan. 4 are to minimize the risk of contact tracing that may need to occur after the traditional holiday break. While we continue to encourage minimal gatherings that promote the spread of COVID-19, we hope that anyone developing symptoms from such events will be diagnosed prior to returning to in-person instruction,” Kinder said.

“We hope to reduce any unnecessary quarantining of other students and/or staff.”

Pleasant Valley will also delay in-school return for the intermediate and middle school, the district announced Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Tuesday that there were 7,962 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 571,551.

Carbon County reported 2,328 cases, an increase of 55 since Monday.

Deaths remain at 87.

Schuylkill reported 6,714, 137 more than Monday. Three more deaths were reported for a running total of 228.