A New Year begins with school districts struggling with a divisive question: to close classrooms or not to close? Arizonaâs COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population soared to 112, the highest in the country, according to CDC data released Tuesday, Jan. 5. Arizonaâs rate was nearly double the national average. And, as of Dec. 31, Glendale and Peoria ZIP codes were all above 500 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days, indicating a âsubstantialâ level of COVID-19 risk. While previous guidance from public health officials was to close classrooms and have online teaching in communities with substantial spread, officials now urge districts to have students in classrooms.