Even with the recently relaxed metric requirements for returning K-12 students to the classroom, Public Health officials say a steady increase in positive COVID-19 cases is keeping Lane County off track for making the grade to reopen schools any time soon.
Officials report the county currently has 176 cases per 100,000 residents. And the positivity rate for overall cases has jumped to 8.9%.
The state now allows counties with between 100 and 200 cases per 100,000 to be placed in the “transition column.” Counties with 50 to 100 cases are in line to move into a hybrid of on-site and distance learning. Less than 50 cases make public schools eligible for on-site learning outright.
Spokesperson Jason Davis said numbers need to be much lower, for much longer-- before Lane County could be approved for in-person learning.
“The overall trend has been one of increased cases,” Davis said. “We had a little bit of a lull there for a week and a half or so- and now thanks to the Halloween holiday and parties and then community spread on top of that and workplace clusters, we’re seeing our cases continue to increase.”
There were 80 new COVID-19 cases announced Tuesday and Lane County saw its 36th death from the virus.
