Updates Surrounding COVID Related Isolation and Quarantine

 

Good Morning,

Hope you are all safely deposited this morning in a warm location... it is BITTER COLD out there today! Note: It is frigid to the extent that there will be NO outdoor recess today for our ES Bulldogs.
 
As I shared in my communication on Monday, there have been significant updates released by the CDC and NYSDOH regarding quarantine (for exposed individuals) and isolation (for infected individuals). The NYS Department of Health has indicated that they intend to issue a comprehensive guidance document for school districts which factors revised isolation, quarantine and "test to stay" parameters. Our local Ontario County DOH will review the comprehensive NYSDOH school setting guidance document and share updates with school districts as soon as possible.

In the meantime, NYSDOH has shared the following update(s) surrounding multi-layer mitigation strategies in our setting:  

1. Masking and Distancing: Both masking and distancing continue to be required in school settings. 
2. Quarantine (for Individuals who are exposed to someone with COVID-19) 
   • In-classroom activities: All fully vaccinated* individuals (students, teachers, and staff), who have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19 may continue to attend or work at school, regardless of booster status, while quarantined outside of school. Continued attendance applies only to participation in classroom activities and taking the bus to and from school. *Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the receipt of either two  doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine or full course of any other recognized vaccine. 
   • Students, teachers, and staff who are not vaccinated (or have not completed a primary vaccine series) who came into close contact with someone with COVID-19 must quarantine for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after last proximate contact. These individuals could be eligible for Test to Stay programs that would allow them to stay in the school setting during the quarantine period. Outside the school setting, quarantine applies. 
3. Isolation: Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for a minimum of 5 days (regardless of vaccination status). If symptoms persist, further isolation will be required; otherwise, they may attend or work at school after the 5-day isolation. 

Ontario County has already indicated that there is intent to shift to the five day period of isolation for individuals who test positive COVID and for unvaccinated individuals who are identified as close proximate contacts of COVID positives and must quarantine.  We anticipate that this shift will occur effective immediately.  

It is our hope that this clarification is helpful for HCS faculty, staff and families in the interim of more detailed guidance. We will share respective updates and more information as it becomes available.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions about this information or otherwise. Thank you for your continued support of the district and our work in advocacy for HCS students. Be safe and be well!

Sincerely,
E. Bridget Ashton

Elizabeth Bridget Ashton
Superintendent, Honeoye Central School District
8528 Main Street
Honeoye, New York 14471
[email protected]
On Twitter: @EBridgetAshton