While the COVID-19 pandemic has eased a bit, we must be aware that the disease is still among us and is easily spread. It is important that we remain vigilant while going about our daily work to provide the best and safest opportunities for all students. This includes monitoring the health of each child and staff member each day, keeping them home when sick, and testing for COVID-19 if symptoms suggest.
Our plan for the year (at this moment) is as follows:
- 1.Continue to focus on personal hygiene (frequent hand-washing, minimal sharing of supplies, proper sneeze and cough etiquette).
- 2.Maintain the expectation of daily self-checks for symptoms or possible exposure to positive cases by staff members and families of students.
- 3.Ongoing use of improved air filtration systems to remove particles and contaminants from indoor air.
- 4.Continue to promote vaccines for students in approved age groups, with potential for vaccination clinics throughout the fall.
- 5.Follow US CDC guidance on Isolation and quarantine for People with COVID-19.
It is the isolation, quarantine, and masking guidance that has raised many questions, so I am including in this letter the most updated information we can find from the US CDC on this topic.
According to the US CDC (August 11, 2022):
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
Possible symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Get tested for COVID-19
- If you have already tested positive for COVID-19, learn more about CDC’s isolation guidance, below.
US CDC ISOLATION GUIDELINES for people with COVID-19
Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.
You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- If you test NEGATIVE: You can end your isolation.
- If you test POSITIVE: Stay home for at least 5 days, isolate from others in your home, and wear a high quality mask if you must be around others.
You may end isolation after day 5 if:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
- Your symptoms are improving
If you still have fever or your symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate.
If you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19, or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
Regardless of when you end isolation:
- Wear your mask through day 10
OR
- If you have access to antigen tests, consider using them. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.
Our school nurses and your primary care physician will be important partners in helping us all understand these guidelines.