Absences related to COVID-19 continue to decline in the Pella Community School District after peaking before Thanksgiving. As of Thursday, 1.3% of students missed class and 1.7% were in quarantine due to COVID-19. After reaching a semester high 17 COVID-19 cases on December 4th through the 7th, there were two students absent due to a confirmed positive test. Only .3% of staff members were out of the building on Thursday as well.

In Marion County, there have been 114 new positive cases of COVID-19 since Sunday. Eleven residents are hospitalized with the virus.