In the past two weeks, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised its COVID-19 community levels rating from “low” to “medium” for six Oregon counties, according to the Oregon Department of Education. The Oregon Health Authority and ODE sent out their first advisory since March 2 to address “continuity of instruction.”
The advisory emphasizes layered mitigation strategies, including returning to face coverings, to ensure the always-present goal of maintaining in-person education for all students. It also encourages schools to watch for high absentee rates and to notify local public health authorities of possible outbreaks. Schools must still exclude students or staff with COVID-19-like symptoms.
