In response to Redmond School Board’s request for local control over COVID precautions, Oregon Health Authority says the virus sets the timeline. As we reported last month, the Board sent a letter to OHA and Governor Kate Brown asking when local decision-making can return. Central Oregon Daily news provides the response letter from OHA Director Patrick Allen who says health officials agree there should be no change yet in school mask requirements-- partly because the vaccine was only recently approved for kids as young as five. Redmond Schools’ COVID dashboard shows 36 COVID cases currently in the schools: 26 students and 10 teachers. Central Oregon Daily News provides a PDF of OHA's response letter.