In neighboring Sonora, Mexico, health officials say there are no plans to put a pause on in-person learning in the state, despite a major spike in COVID-19 cases.

Amid record high COVID-19 case counts, nearly a third of Mexico’s 32 states have postponed in-person learning. But while cases are also surging to all-time highs in Sonora, leaders say that won't affect the state’s schools.

Health Secretary Jose Luis Alomia said Thursday that there have never been major outbreaks at Sonoran schools, and they plan to keep them open.

In Sonora, schools have consistently required strict safety protocols since schools reopened for in-person classes in August, including mandatory mask-wearing among all students and teachers.

Still, many Sonoran families continue to opt for virtual learning, in part because most children in Mexico are still not eligible to be vaccinated. Teachers only became eligible for booster shots this week.