BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) – On July 17, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued the COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Learning Framework. Several elementary schools within Butte County have submitted waiver applications to open in-person instruction under specified conditions. Since our COVID-19 case rate was lower this week, Public Health is granting approval for two waivers. After a thorough review, Paradise Adventist Elementary and Chico Oaks Adventist Elementary School have met the requirements for in-person instruction in alignment with State guidance and standards. Public Health staff will work with these schools to determine their re-opening date. All other school waiver applications are still being processed and Public Health staff remain in communication with the applicants.

As of Tuesday, September 22nd, the updated weekly case rate and test positivity rate for Butte County have gone below the Tier 1 threshold. As a reminder, California Department of Public Health recommends that counties not grant school waivers if the case rate is double or more the established threshold. This is the first week that our case rate is below that double figure.

We want to thank those who are working hard to reduce the spread of COVID-19, your efforts are helping and allows us to start this approval process. Residents should continue to keep doing all they can to prevent the spread of the virus by:

Wear a face covering when in public; Keep at least six feet away from others; Wash your hands often; Don’t mix with people who don’t live in your household; Stay home if you are sick

If you develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or one of the testing locations in Butte County. View a list of testing locations in Butte County: www.buttecounty.net/ph/COVID19/Testing

Learn more about COVID-19 in Butte County: www.buttecounty.net/ph/COVID19