Tri Cities Reporter

Dr. Amy Person has recommended that local schools start planning for an in-person hybrid method of learning in a letter to Benton and Franklin Counties schools.

"Pasco School District, and all other schools and school districts in Franklin County, should plan for implementation of in-person hybrid learning as early as Oct. 15," NBC Right Now reported. "In her letter, Dr. Person noted that disease activity in both counties has been decreasing over the last two months and in-person attendance provides additional benefits to students that factored into her recommendation. Advancing to the hybrid learning model is not expected to pose a significantly greater risk to staff and students than their current activities. Medically fragile/high risk individuals are still advised to work or learn remotely."

Her recommendation falls in line with recommendations given by the state and health department. 

"BFHD will continue to monitor COVID-19 disease activity and trends closely for significant, unexpected variations and for any potential increases. SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging and novel virus, so it is important to recognize that recommendations may change as they must be rooted in best available evidence and in the status of disease activity in the future," NBC reported.