EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The Excelsior Springs School District COVID Task Force stated virus numbers have caused Westview Elementary to remain virtual until the end of the semester. Whether the Christmas break will help to end that school’s closure or lead to additional school closures is unclear, District Assistant Superintendent Jaret Tomlinson said. The district and nation shared a concern that Thanksgiving break might have resulted in new cases that just now are surfacing. The concern is compounded by the potential for Christmas break to increase cases. Tomlinson said new cases could be added as a result of families and friends congregating for the holidays. Since the start of December, the nation several times has logged record-breaking numbers for new cases and deaths from COVID-19. The nation’s leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has urged the public not to get together for the holidays. His guidance is meant to reduce the numbers. “For the first time in more…