3 more Arizona counties meet hybrid-learning COVID benchmarks

PHOENIX – Three more Arizona counties moved into the safe range for the recommended hybrid learning level, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported Thursday.

Gila, Mohave and Yuma counties joined the list of regions meeting benchmark guidelines for some in-class attendance and online learning.

Of the state’s 15 counties, only Graham is advised to remain virtual only, while Greenlee is the lone county that has met suggested standards for full return to campuses.

Data posted on the dashboard came from the week starting Sept. 6 and doesn’t count the past 12 days because of potential lags in information.

School districts do not have to follow the benchmarks. Queen Creek Unified School District allowed in-person instruction starting the week of Aug. 17 before Maricopa County reached the marks.

Maricopa County schools continue to meet the guideline for hybrid mode.

Apache, Cochise, La Paz, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yavapai also remained in the recommended hybrid-learning stage.

The state health agency recommends the benchmarks be at moderate or minimal community spread levels for at least two consecutive weeks to allow hybrid learning.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story reported Pima County did not meet the recommended benchmarks for hybrid learning.

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