BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Health officials are advising Whatcom County schools not to further reopen.
Whatcom County Health Officer Dr. Greg Stern sent a letter to school administrators recommending that districts pause plans for expanding in-person instruction for middle and high school students in response to a sharp climb in COVID-19 cases locally.
But he says phasing in a return for students in elementary school and students with special needs may continue because risks are lower for younger students than older ones, and the benefits to them of socializing with teachers and peers are high.
He says if the community transmission rates continue to rise, schools may need to roll back to remote learning in all middle and high schools.