With the number of Illinois children testing positive for COVID-19 declining for a second week in a row, some experts said Friday that student quarantines, testing and masking, while frustrating for some parents, are the only way to ensure schools remain open this fall.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Friday that for the week ending Sept. 18, 4,681 children ages 5-17 tested positive for COVID-19, a roughly 23% decrease from Sept. 11, when 6,082 children tested positive for the virus, marking the second week in a row cases have dropped.

While the number of Illinois schools reporting outbreaks rose from last week, climbing to 257 from 206, the increase is due in part to the list being cumulative, and some schools remaining on the list, even after the outbreak is contained.

Despite the challenges posed by student quarantines, some experts say when combined with vaccines and testing, the measures can increase the odds of schools remaining open as the highly contagious delta variant continues to spread.