Public schools in Danbury, Connecticut will begin the year with remote learning amid a recent spike in coronavirus cases in the city, the superintendent announced Monday.

Superintendent Sal Pascarella informed the school community of the decision in a letter posted to the district’s Facebook page.

“In order to safeguard the health and safety of our students and staff, I have decided to accept the recommendation of local health officials to start the school year this fall in Distance Learning for all students,” Pascarella wrote.

Students begin online classes Sept. 8. Pascarella said he will make a decision on Oct. 1 on how to move forward from then.

The move comes after Deidre Gifford, the acting commissioner of Connecticut Department of Public Health, sounded the alarm over the city’s spike in virus cases.

“This is a serious outbreak in Danbury and we really need an all hands on deck approach,” Gifford said in a statement.

From Aug. 2 to 20, the city recorded 178 new cases of the virus, compared to 40 over the previous two weeks.

Health officials are blaming the outbreak on outdoor barbecues, travel and youth sports, which have been canceled over the uptick.

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