Ninety-eight percent of school districts in the state have had plans approved to deliver online education beginning today, said Gov. Doug Burgum during his daily briefing on Tuesday.

Burgum had closed schools on March 16 to slow the spread of the coronavirus and he directed them to create plans for alternative delivery that would be approved by the Department of Public Instruction.

During the briefing on Tuesday, Burgum said 155 of 175 districts have had their plans approved. The government will work with the remaining 20 districts on issues such as clarifying expectations for students and teachers and how learning outcomes will be achieved. Burgum said he expected all of the remaining districts to be able to start online delivery of education beginning today.

Burgum said there should be sufficient bandwidth in the state for both schoolwork and for people working from home. He praised school districts for developing their plans in such a short period of time and private sector partners who have helped by providing technology or increased bandwidth so kids and teachers will have access to what they need to teach and learn from home. Some districts have already started online delivery of classes. Burgum said some districts have come up with some very creative, innovative ways to teach kids online.

Burgum also announced that an additional 17 people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 126. So far three people have died in the state.

Burgum said that number probably represents the number of people who got sick with the virus 10 days ago and people should assume that as many as 10 times that number were sick last week and the number has grown as the virus has spread. Some people do not have symptoms and have unknowingly spread the virus.

Burgum said the number of new cases in the state are still on an upward trend and social distancing and good hygiene are ways to slow the spread of the disease.

The state is also continuing to plan to expand the availability of medical facilities if they are needed, including the possibility of converting same day surgery sites or former medical facilities into hospital space for coronavirus patients.