An uptick in COVID-19 cases in the Norwich community has led several schools across southeastern Connecticut to move their Norwich students away from in-person classes and into remote learning.

The move runs counter to a recommendation provided on Friday by the Ledge Light Health District to not exclude Norwich students based solely on an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Norwich community. Ledge Light covers East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Stonington and Waterford.

LEARN, the Regional Educational Service Center that runs several local magnet schools, announced on Friday that Norwich students would shift to remote learning in response to the decision by the city of Norwich on Thursday to cancel in-person classes across the school district and at Norwich Free Academy. The positivity test rate of 6.7% in Norwich is three times the state average, health officials explained on Thursday.

LEARN hosts 122 students from Norwich at the Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton, Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London, Three Rivers Middle College Magnet High School in Norwich and Friendship School in Waterford.

“To support efforts in Norwich, we have decided to move all Norwich students to remote instruction. This change will take effect immediately with remote instruction beginning on Friday, October 2, and remaining in place until at least October 19,” the LEARN notice reads. “During remote instruction, Norwich students will continue to follow the same schedule for synchronous learning that they currently follow in the hybrid schedule.”

Kate Ericson, LEARN’s executive director, said LEARN “was acting under an abundance of caution in the hope that we can help Norwich in its effort to reduce the avenues of transmission and the community spread of the virus.”

Ericson said LEARN planned to review its decision early next week to determine the safest course of action for the Norwich students.

Ledyard has announced a similar move to protect the safety of students, Superintendent Jason Hartling said.

In a notice to families, Ledyard High School Principal Amanda Fagan said Norwich students in its AgriScience program, along with tuition pathway students, would shift into full virtual mode as of Friday with restrictions for any on-campus activities, including athletics. No Norwich students in Ledyard have tested positive, she said. “To all of our Norwich Colonels ... know that we will continue to support you through online learning, that we care deeply about your health and safety, and that we look forward to your quick return to us here at LHS.”

The district additionally announced a second case of COVID-19 in one of the schools on Friday. School is slated to open on Monday.

Stephen Mansfield, director of health for Ledge Light Health District, issued a letter to area school superintendents on Friday and noted the acceleration of cases in southeastern Connecticut but said that in consultation with the state Department of Public Health, would not recommend school districts exclude Norwich students.

Norwich Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow also said Friday that is not necessary, given that Norwich students are not a source of the virus spread.

“While acknowledging the elevated risk in the population of Norwich in general, the likelihood that there will be many cases of COVID-19 among small groups of students from Norwich who enter schools in other districts is low,” Mansfield wrote. “COVID-19 disease transmission across the region and state has been primarily occurring in community and congregate living settings. Evidence of transmission in schools has been minimal.”

Mansfield said Ledge Light remains focused on regional trends, “emphasizing individual and community prevention measures and strict adherence to the mitigation strategies that have this far shown to be effective in schools.”

He also acknowledged that individual school districts will make the final determine regarding exclusion of Norwich students.

Day Staff Writer Claire Bessette contributed to this report.

g.smith@theday.com