Cases of COVID-19 still on the rise across Imperial Valley
Public health officials say a high demand for testing - 13 on your sides Wiley Jawhary reports
El Centro, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Imperial County Public Health Department (ICPHD) says COVID-19 cases are still going up.
Cases of COVID-19 are also hitting classrooms. The Heber Elementary School District (HESD) already closed due to this surge. It plans to reopen on Monday, but now other school districts across the Imperial Valley are closely monitoring cases as well.
Public health officials say there are 2,890 active cases of COVID-19 across the Imperial Valley.
Karla Lopez is an epidemiologist with the ICPHD.
She says that residents may be confused about the new isolation guidelines which is why cases are going up.
“For those that are unable or not wanting to get tested in order to end their isolation earlier, they need to continue their isolation for 10 days,” she said.
Lopez says residents are still required to wear a mask when indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Additionally, health officials say if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and did not get tested, wearing a mask is essential when around others to not spread the virus.
The Brawley Elementary School Superintendent, Dr. Rundhaug says although the district does not plan on closing its schools, staff are heavily monitoring the increase in cases.
"We are watching it, we communicate, if we end up seeing a principal might be having a challenge they let us know, but they have been doing a good job of meeting those vacancies," he said.
Janette Angulo, the health director with the ICPHD says there is a concern for everyone, even outside of the classroom.
"We were already reporting a high rate of transmission, this morning the case rate is at 239 cases per a hundred thousand, definitely higher than last week and much much higher than December," she said.
