NYSDOH issues updated COVID-19 quarantine/isolation time guidance

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Dear Minisink Valley school community:

On Jan. 10, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) updated the guidance for COVID quarantine and isolation in the school setting. The Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) has agreed to these changes.

Beginning Jan. 11,  Minisink Valley will follow this guidance, which reduces quarantine/isolation time for students and staff in many instances.

Here’s a summary of this guidance:

Individuals who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 (this applies to students and staff):Chart explaining new BYSDOH guidance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information on the district’s optional Test to Stay (TTS) Program will come in the next day.

Isolation Protocols: Positive COVID-19 Cases

As of Jan. 11, if students or staff test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, individuals should:

  • Call their school nurse during regular school hours to report a positive COVID-19 case.
  • Isolate for 5 calendar days, following the onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic, from the date of the test.
  • If asymptomatic at the end of 5 calendar days or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and individuals may return to school. They must wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
  • Students and staff must meet the following criteria to return to school following a five-day isolation due to being COVID-19 positive:
    •  No fever for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication
    • Resolution or reduction of symptoms
    • Students and staff must wear an appropriate face mask at all times, other than when eating or drinking.
    • Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should isolate for 10 days.
    • A doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is not required to return to school.

Thank you for your attention to this important information and to Dr. Sara Little, the district’s medical director, for reviewing this information and supporting the NYSDOH’s updated guidance.

Sincerely,

Brian C. Monahan
Superintendent