NETCHD: Expanded in-person learning can be considered

While schools in the Northeast Tri County Health District should maintain distance learning provisions, health district officials are saying a stabilization in COVID-19 cases means the schools can consider expanding in-person instruction to K-12.

That could happen as soon as Monday for schools in Pend Oreille, Stevens and Ferry counties, officials said in a press release.

“With these improved metrics and status in key areas of public health and medical care, it is my recommendation that schools consider reopening for additional in-person instruction in accordance with the Washington State Department of Health Decision Tree for Provisions of In Person Learning under the educational modality provisions of ‘moderate’ levels of COVID-19 levels on or after Oct. 5,” Dr. Samuel Artzis, M.D., NETCHD health officer, said.

In conjunction with school districts in the three counties, NETCHD has been working to coordinate COVID-19 prevention and response activities. Artzis had recommended in early August that schools in the three counties start the year with distance learning due to high levels of COVID-19 in each county. The recommendation stemmed from COVID-19 modeling which forecast a likely increase in overall transmission into September, placing stress on key areas of public and medical health systems. However, since then, NETCHD officials said COVID-19 levels have stabilized with moderate levels of disease transmission as well as an increased capacity to investigate confirmed cases and improved readiness in local and regional medical systems.

Under this educational modality recommendation, NETCHD officials said the school districts should maintain distance learning provisions but consider expanding in-person instruction to K-12. With more in-person instructional opportunities, it is critical that schools have staff, space, and processes in place to fully meet state requirements.

Progressing through the rest of the school year, NETCHD will be evaluating the data and key readiness indicators within each county.

“When there is sustainability in reduced levels of community spread of COVID-19, NETCHD will closely coordinate with school administrators to provide recommendations for increased in-person instructional opportunities,” officials said in the press release. " Likewise, if there is sustained increases of COVID-19 and increased community spread, NETCHD will revise recommendations accordingly.”