Below is a summary of the changes:
CDC/VDH is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days to 5 days for people who test positive for COVID-19. This is for asymptomatic individuals (5 days from a positive test) and people with symptoms (5 days from symptom onset) as long as symptoms are resolving. The 5 day isolation is then followed by 5 days of strict mask use when around others. Students returning on day 6 of quarantine must be able to wear a well fitting mask over their nose and mouth throughout the school day. If they are unable to do so they will need to complete the full 10 days of quarantine at home. Students with symptoms must also have noted improvement of symptoms and be able to participate in a full day of school activities.
The recommended quarantine period for those exposed to someone with COVID-19 has been updated:
o For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and have not received a booster shot, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days.
o Individuals who have received their booster shot do NOT need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after the exposure.
o For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for COVID-19 at day 5 after exposure.
If symptoms develop, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.
As a reminder, please do not send your child to school if your child has COVID-19 symptoms, someone in your child’s household has COVID-19 symptoms, or someone in their household tests positive for COVID-19. Contact your child’s school as soon as possible to make them aware of the situation.
IWCS will continue to implement mitigation measures in all schools, including wearing a mask and maintaining distancing where/when possible. We ask everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our buildings and the community.