Carlsbad Municipal School District announced students at Carlsbad High School would return to a virtual learning environment only, as the school grapples with 13 cases of COVID-19 among staff and a shortage of substitute teachers. On Feb. 26, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerry Washburn alerted the public that 12 teachers and one substitute had entered quarantine as a result of the virus. "Due to the severe shortage of substitute teachers we have made the difficult decision to return the high school to remote learning temporarily," he wrote. The remote learning began March 1 and extended to all grade levels of the high school. Though Carlsbad High School did make the New Mexico Environment Department COVID-9 watchlist with two rapid responses noted, the school was not ordered closed by the state, which requires four or more rapid responses to be considered for closure.