Deschutes County COVID cases shot up last week meaning Bend-La Pine and Redmond schools are once again at “Week Zero” in their efforts to get kids back into class.
The OHA recorded 75 cases in Deschutes County, which translates to 38.9 cases per 100,000 residents.
Counties need to have 30 or fewer cases per 100,000 people for three straight weeks before bringing kids back in grades K-3.
Bend-La Pine notified parents in a Facebook post Tuesday the earliest students could return to class now is Nov. 30th.
Not only did cases jump, but the test positivity rate for Deschutes County went up as well.
Deschutes County met the metric two weeks ago (57 cases or 29.5/100,000) providing some hope that a return would happen sooner than later.
But the latest data is another blow to many families and teachers who are eagerly awaiting a chance to get back to in-person learning.
Meanwhile in Salem, Gov. Kate Brown is working with education and health officials to possibly rewrite the metrics and reopen schools sooner.
Until then, local districts are at the mercy of their communities and how well they limit the spread of COVID.
Deschutes County has reported 1,132 cases and 13 COVID-related deaths since the onset of the pandemic.
