EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – All public schools in Clay and Ray counties remain closed due to the coronavirus.

All 555 school districts across Missouri have now closed voluntarily.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or DESE, reported 914,000 students are affected.

Harrisburg School District closed schools the quickest, on March 13, based on DESE information.

Excelsior Springs, Richmond and Hardin-Central schools closed March 16.

Orrick, Knob Noster, Holden and Warrensburg are among the districts that did not close until Monday, the last day on which any district closed.

Richmond School District, which had considered reopening earlier, will not reopen until Monday, April 6, unless the district later announces a plan to extend the reopening date further.

“Thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility during these times of uncertainty,” district information states.

Excelsior Springs announced Saturday that the district would not reopen schools until at least April 24.

“The issues facing Excelsior Springs are not unique,” district information states. “But as we continue to adapt to the changes that come our way, we commit to rising to the challenge and serving our community by providing educational support, student food services, and gainful employment and insurance for our valued employees.”