WINONA, Minn. – Winona Schools began the new year with 270 absences Monday the 3rd. How many absences were due to Covid was unclear, but the number was significantly more than the 220 a month earlier on December 6, a comparative Monday. — up 22.7%. Schools spokesperson John Casper cautioned into concluding that the Covid omicron was to blame. It’s possible, he said, that some children were late getting back from family holiday travel. The district doesn’t track reasons for absences. At the same time, he said, it’s safe to assume there was an omicron impact. Casper noted that the January 3 absences were comparatively higher at elementary schools – 100 on January 3 compared to 55 on December 6.
