COVID-19 cases slowing; schools may begin to reopen

Canyon Lake COVID-19 cases have slowed along with the rest of the county this month. New cases are down enough to push the county’s Adjusted Case Rate below a threshold that will allow elementary schools to reopen.

Vaccinations have been made available for those 65-years-old and older and for those in education and daycare. The county released 32,000 more vaccinations earlier this week and appointments were available at the Perris Bob Glass Gym. Appointments can be made by going online at https://www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine.

It is anticipated that by March 16, those under 65 with underlying health issues will be able to receive the vaccination.

Canyon Lake Property Owners Association flags at its offices and amenities will be flown at half staff today (Friday) until sunset in memory of the 500,000 individuals who have died of the COVID-19 virus in the country. Canyon Lake’s 11th person died of COVID-19 this week.

Not all COVID-19 news is good news. Canyon Lake recorded its 11th death over the weekend. This person who died was the first female from Canyon Lake to succumb to the virus. She was age 80-plus.

Flags at Canyon Lake POA offices and amenities will be flown at half-staff all day today (Friday) until sunset in memory of the more than 500,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19.

The Lake Elsinore Unified School District, of which Canyon Lake is a part, is studying a re-opening plan, but did not have one in place before the county hit the Purple Tier, so it has not yet been approved.

The milestone for Riverside County’s adjusted countywide daily COVID-19 cases of less than 25 per 100,000 residents was hit on Tuesday. With that news, the local school district said it is encouraged by the news.

“As we anticipate the reopening of schools in California, we were encouraged by the update regarding Riverside County’s most recent COVID-19 Adjusted Case Rate,” the district said in a letter to its parents. “These updated numbers indicate the District is on track to reopen elementary schools using a grade-level phased-in approach. The District, however, must still wait for official approval from the Riverside University Health System to reopen. Due to the case rate continuing to fall over the last four weeks, we anticipate finalizing reopening start dates in early March and promptly communicating these dates to all stakeholders.”

The district’s draft School Reopening & Safety Plan is currently being aligned to meet the state’s requirement of each school district providing each county health department the state’s updated COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist and the District’s COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Riverside County opened another 32,000 appointments on Tuesday for the coronavirus vaccine at its public health clinics. The appointments for clinics started Wednesday and go until March 2 and are available to anyone in Phase 1A and the first tier of Phase 1B. This group includes those 65 and older and those employed in education, food and agriculture, emergency services and health care.

About 16,000 of the appointments are reserved for first doses, while the other half are reserved for second doses. Seniors and those needing help making an appointment can call 211 or 951-329-4703. Seniors will need to bring photo ID to their appointment. Those getting the vaccine because of their employment will have to bring a work badge or letter from their employer.

Meanwhile, a county schools team, including Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s public health officer, will review the LEUSD safety plans expeditiously along with state review.

“The pandemic has had a major impact on education, like everything else, and as case rates currently continue to decline we can start getting more kids back in class,” Dr. Kaiser said. “But this can’t be without safety precautions or monitoring. Our districts and schools are committed to operating safely, and so am I.”

“It has been a very difficult year for our teachers, students and parents. So many have been waiting for a return to in-person learning,” Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District Supervisor, said. “This is an important day for our students and entire education community.”

As outlined in the LEUSD School Reopening & Safety Plan, students whose families have chosen in-person learning will be returning to a cohort model that will operate at a 50% capacity. Over the last two months, district staff has taken steps to assign elementary students to a morning or afternoon cohort schedule allowing those students attending in-person instruction to attend school each day.

For those families who have chosen to remain in Distance Learning for the remainder of the school year, staff has also taken steps to assign elementary students to a teacher who shall also remain in Distance Learning for the remainder of the school year.

Currently, Riverside County’s Adjusted Case Rate has not reached the necessary threshold (currently at 7 or below) to reopen Middle Schools or High Schools. District officials said they will continue to monitor county statistics weekly and provide this information at upcoming board meetings.

“Thank you for your patience as we anticipate the return of elementary students whose families have chosen in-person learning,” the district said. “We look forward to welcoming students back as soon as we can! If families have questions, please contact your principal.”