Back to school in Imperial Valley as COVID-19 cases go up
Will in-person classes resume this fall in spite of recent COVID-19 spike? - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports
IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The anxiety of students returning back to school is starting to build in some parents as cases of COVID-19 variants increase in the Imperial Valley.
The Imperial County Public Health Department reported a 20% increase of cases over the last two weeks. As back to school dates gets closer, talks about returning to the classroom have resurfaced.
Dr. Tien Vo, with Vo Medical Center in El Centro, shares that while some parents are anxious, returning to in-person learning this fall seems more than likely.
“It is okay to go back to school but we have to have those items in place, more vaccines and soon we have to have vaccines for all ages,” he said.
Amidst the recent increase of cases and new variants making their way to the Valley, Dr. Vo says that the high rate of vaccinations will allow for a safe return to the classrooms.
Dr. Vo says the more people vaccinated, the safer it will be to return to the classroom. That's why one Valley district will return to the classroom this fall. However, they'll be coming back with facemasks, vaccinated or not.
“We’ve communicated through our parent communication the need for students to wear face masks upon return and we have communicated that with staff as well,” said Dr. Richard Rundhaug, Brawley Elementary School Superintendent.
The state of California mandating masks for all K-12 students and staff. This will require them to wear a mask when indoors. There will be opportunities for online learning for those parents that are anxious about sending their kids back to school.
