Community Health Update

01.22.22
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EMAIL:

  • Starting January 26, our Return to School protocol for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will shift to align with the CDC. This means individuals have the option to return on Day 6 to Beaver IF they meet all the guidelines outlined below.
  • Students/employees who are 5 days or more into their quarantine on 1/26 will have the option to follow this updated protocol.
  • Resources for obtaining free at-home rapid tests
  • Masks continue to be our go-to weekly reminder, and this week is no exception.
  • As we communicated earlier this week, campus is re-opened to visitors.
New information
COVID-19 CASES AT A GLANCE
Below are the numbers we have as of 12:00 p.m. today.
11 new cases
Total new cases since we shared numbers on January 14
3 cases
Total of the above new cases determined from pool testing and on campus rapid testing
1 MS student;
1 US students;
1 employee*
8 cases
Total of the above new cases determined from home testing

1 MS student;
4 US students;
3 employees*
Total cases since the start of school
126 positive cases
(88 student cases; 38 employees*)
*The term "employee" encompasses all BVR faculty/staff
(full-time & part-time) as well as contracted workers.
Next community pool testing date
Thursday, January 27, 2022
BVR POLICY UPDATES & REMINDERS
New information
RETURN TO SCHOOL POLICY Starting January 26, the updated protocol for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will shift to align with CDC Guidelines, which state if you are positive for COVID-19 you must self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days after either (1) symptom onset OR (2) after positive PCR or antigen test if you are asymptomatic. The day the sample was taken for the positive test or the day of symptom onset is considered day zero.

This means, after a positive COVID-19 test, students/employees can return to school on Day 6 (after the 5 day isolation period) if all the following apply:

  • They must be without a fever for 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medications);
  • They must have experienced resolution of all other symptoms;
  • They must have a negative at-home rapid test PRIOR TO RETURN if they choose to return before day 11 of a positive test or onset of symptoms.

Following the five-day isolation period, individuals must mask for five additional days when around others (except when actively eating and drinking). We will make arrangements for students to eat lunch in a designated area through day 10.
MASKS As a weekly reminder, proper masking is required. For the next week, we are continuing to require KN95, K95, KF94, OR double masking with a surgical mask under a cloth mask.
THE HIERARCHY OF PROPER MASKING
✅
BETTER
DOUBLE (2) mask with cloth mask over surgical mask
✅
BEST
ONE (1) medical grade mask (N95, KN95, KF94)
❌
NOT A THING
DOUBLING (2) surgical masks or
wearing only ONE (1) cloth mask
VISITORS As mentioned in an update on Wednesday, our numbers are trending in the right direction over our last three rounds of weekly testing so we are re-opening the campus to visitors as of yesterday, Friday, January 21. Please be advised this decision is subject to change based on testing results any given week; we will notify you immediately should that happen.
New information
RAPID TEST AVAILABILITY
There are three ways you can access free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests:

  1. As you very likely know, The Biden Administration has made free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests available to all residents through a new web-based ordering platform. Each household is entitled to four testing kits through this program. These rapid antigen at-home tests can be ordered from the U.S. Post Office at COVID Home Tests | USPS.
  2. In addition, you may independently purchase rapid antigen tests from local and online retailers and have up to eight covered by your health insurance for each person on your insurance plan.
  3. DESE is releasing new information about additional rapid test distribution to school communities. More details will be shared as we learn additional information. 
If you have any questions, email the Beaver Health Office