Staff COVID-19 Response & Recovery Updates - Jan. 13, 2022
NEW: This is a new regular communication to help keep staff members up-to-date about COVID-19 in Bend-La Pine Schools and address frequently asked questions
Thanks to each of you for the work you are doing to help keep our schools open for in-person learning. Your efforts and commitment to this are commendable. Much around us is rapidly changing and our goal is to keep all of you as up-to-date as we can in the coming days and weeks through this new communication tool.
IN THIS UPDATE

  • Quarantine and Isolation Changes: Staff can return as soon as day six, with some caveats
  • Test to Stay Changes: Staff now test on days 1 and 3-5
  • Contact Tracing and Case Investigation: Priority given to identifying positive persons and isolating them
  • 
Booster and Vaccine Finder: Find a vaccine or booster near you
  • Testing Finder: When to test at work, where to find a test in the community
  • Masks: KN95 and 3-ply face coverings available at your worksite
  • Sup. Cook Talks COVID-19: See what Sup. Cook had to say about the current surge
TOP NEWS: Isolation, Quarantine Guidelines Changing for Staff
Bend-La Pine Schools is implementing new changes from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Deschutes County Health that shortens the quarantine and isolation time for staff to return to work. As soon as day six, following testing positive for COVID-19 (or from symptom onset; whichever is earlier) or after exposure to a positive case (for individuals not fully vaccinated) staff may return to work provided that they:

   •   Have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND
   •   Are able to wear a well-fitting mask at all times for the next five days, including activities where a mask may be optional for others AND
   •   Per the CDC, eating and drinking will only be allowed to take place when you are not in the presence of others. (This is not intended to prevent discrete sips of water or other beverages while in congregate settings.)

Find a Local Booster, Vaccine Provider

Anyone who qualifies for a booster can receive any of the FDA-approved vaccines. Individuals may receive either the same or a different COVID-19 vaccine, depending on advice from a health care provider, individual preference, availability or convenience. Find a vaccine.

Living with a COVID-19 Positive Person

If the staff person is up to date on their vaccine or has been a documented case within the last 90 days and live with a person positive with COVID-19, they do not need to quarantine at home, as long as they remain asymptomatic. However, they must wear a well fitting mask at all times for the next five days. Staff should seek out testing on day 5 and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If staff develop any symptoms, they should isolate and get a test.
Test to Stay Program

Schools continue to offer a Test-to-Stay modified quarantine option for asymptomatic, unvaccinated staff only. Test-to-Stay requires students and staff subject to quarantine to be tested twice during the five days following exposure. The first test should occur as soon as the exposure has been identified. Importantly, the first test should occur before students and staff are allowed to return to the classroom. The second test should occur between days 3-5 following the exposure. If staff are negative on both tests, and remain asymptomatic, they may remain at work.

Test to stay depends on an adequate and stable test supply and availability may be restricted during a COVID-19 surge or testing supply shortages.
Find a Local COVID-19 Test

Staff who become symptomatic at work, or who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 at work, are encouraged to contact their supervisor for a BinaxNOW rapid test.

Many providers in Central Oregon offer testing for COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider, urgent care, or local clinic to schedule an appointment. Find a test.

Thank you for doing what you can to stay healthy, help slow the spread of COVID-19, and protect our school community.
Changes for Contact Tracing Investigation

Due to the volume of contact tracing incidents in our schools, our contact tracing team will be prioritizing their efforts on identifying positive school cases and isolating the positive case. Instead of notifying individual staff or students, entire classes or groups may be notified of possible exposure.
Our local health department is also making adjustments due to the surge, including prioritizing response to positive cases in the community over exposure notifications.
KN95 Masks Available for Staff Now

Schools and departments should be stocked with 3-ply and KN95 face coverings. Please ask your supervisor for face coverings, if you need them. You are also welcome to wear your own 3-ply or KN95 face coverings.
Your KN95 mask can be used up to five times with proper storage after each use.
Is it Time to Upgrade Your Mask?
The new Omicron variant of COVID-19 is forcing everyone to re-evaluate previous practices. Experts are making new recommendations regarding the types of masks that provide the best protection against Omicron.
BEST – N95, KN95 and KF94
These masks are made out of a material that has an electrostatic charge and contains polypropylene fibers. They’re best at preventing tiny particles from getting into your nose and mouth.

BETTER – Surgical Mask + Cloth Mask
The next best solution is to wear a surgical mask (like the disposable blue ones) closest to the face with a cloth mask on top to ensure a tighter fit. Do not wear a surgical mask on top of another surgical mask.

GOOD – Surgical Mask Alone
These blue disposable masks are available for free at all our school offices.

POOR – Cloth Mask
Cloth masks do little to prevent tiny virus particles from getting into your nose and mouth and aren’t effective against the new Omicron variant.
Reach out to your school to learn about how to get a KN95 or 3-ply mask.
Superintendent Cook Talks COVID-19
See what Superintendent Steven Cook had to say following Tuesday’s Board meeting discussion about COVID-19.

Skip to 4:20 in this video review to hear how the district is working through the current Omicron surge.
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