SANDY, Utah– Alta and Cottonwood high schools are among the latest in a series of Utah schools to enter a soft closure due to 15 or more positive cases of COVID-19. 

In a statement from Alta High School Thursday, all students will transition from in-person classes to remote learning until after the Thanksgiving break. 

There will be no school on Friday to give teachers time to prepare for online classes. The online instruction for all Alta High students will begin Monday, Nov. 16. 

“The pause in on-campus learning was determined to be in the best interest of students, families and staff following a meeting with authorities from the Salt Lake County Health Department about the rising coronavirus cases among the members of the school community and in the community,” the statement read. 

Cottonwood High School will also dismiss students from in-person classes for two weeks. Cottonwood High students will return to in-person instruction on Nov. 30.