by Steven Felschundneff | steven@claremont-courier.com

Primary schools in Los Angeles County can begin to reopen for in-person instruction as soon as this week, according to a news release from the department of public health.

“The state permits elementary schools to reopen as soon as we reach an adjusted case rate of 25 per 100,000. We are informing Los Angeles County schools tonight via an emailed letter that we expect to announce we have reached this threshold effective Tuesday, February 16,” health officials said in a statement.

All school districts that want to reopen elementary schools must submit plans to both the county and state departments of public health certifying implementation of a full range of safety measures to permit safe reopening.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer will provide further details during a news briefing today at 2 p.m.

“This encouraging news means that dozens of elementary schools will be permitted to reopen for in-class instruction for students grades TK-6 as early as this week,” health officials said.