Print San Diego County’s elementary schools could start getting the go-ahead to reopen soon, now that the county has fallen below a key COVID case rate threshold. But it may take more time for schools to begin opening in droves. The county’s case rate dipped Tuesday to 22 cases per 100,000 — below the 25 per 100,000 threshold that prohibits elementary schools from reopening. If the case rate stays below 25 for five consecutive days, then schools serving grades K-6 would be allowed to reopen, if they get their reopening plans approved by county and state officials. San Diego County is not yet accepting applications to reopen, said Music Watson, spokeswoman for the San Diego County Office of Education, which provides support to schools but does not enforce state or local COVID guidance.