UPDATED: COVID Isolation and Quarantine Guidance

UPDATED:

Isolation and Quarantine Guidance

January 4, 2022

Dear Kenston Families and Staff,

While we were on Winter Break, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) updated its Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines. With our return to school, we will implement the new quarantine timeline also supported by the Lake and Geauga County Health Department recommendations. Families should continue to contact their children's school office or principal to report COVID positive cases, absences and any other COVID-related topics.

Below is the new guidance from the Ohio Department of Health regarding COVID positive cases and exposures based on the CDC's updated guidelines:

Glossary of Terms

Isolation is the term and practice used when someone has tested positive for COVID-19.

Quarantine is the term and practice used when someone has been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19.

*The new guidelines can be applied for individuals who are currently isolated or quarantined if they are not exhibiting symptoms. Provided they are symptom-free and willing to wear a mask upon their return, they may come back after five (5) days rather than ten (10). There are no exceptions (mask exemptions) to wearing masks to shorten an isolation or quarantine period.

2022 covid-19-guidance-quarantine_Page_1.jpg

2022 covid-19-guidance-quarantine_Page_2.jpg

2022 covid-19-guidance-quarantine_Page_3.jpg

Positive or presumed positive COVID:

The CDC has shortened the recommended time for isolation for people with COVID-19, if asymptomatic, from ten (10) days to five (5) days, followed by five (5) days of wearing a mask when around others.
Those with COVID-19 who are experiencing symptoms should not return to school or activities until they are symptom-free.

Exposure in a school setting:

We will continue to notify anyone who is considered a close contact to an infected individual at school.
Close contacts in a school setting will not be required to quarantine as long as they are symptom-free and able to wear a mask.
Individuals should test after day five (5) of the exposure.

Exposure outside of school:

If a student or staff member is exposed to COVID-19 (considered a close contact) or someone in your home has COVID-19, you must keep your child home from school to quarantine.
Individuals may return five (5) days from the last exposure to the positive case, i.e. proper isolation was maintained throughout, as long as they are symptom-free and able to wear a mask. The only exception to having to quarantine is if a child:
over the age of 16 and has received both doses of the Pfizer vaccination.
is totally symptom-free.
will wear a mask.
Please contact your child’s school office to report the quarantine absence, which will be excused. They will be able to guide you through when your child can return to school based on dates of exposure and how to access school work. Individuals should test after day five (5) of the exposure.

Kenston strongly believes that our students' educational and social-emotional needs are best met with in-person learning and that remains our goal. With that being said, the administrative team will monitor and evaluate local health trends in consultation with the Geauga Public Health Department and their impact on staffing and attendance.

Please be reminded with the shortage of substitutes, specifically in transportation, we may need to request your assistance in transporting your children to and from school.

We appreciate your partnership and patience as we all continue to address the obstacles presented in the new year.

Sincerely,

Nancy R. Santilli

Superintendent

Kenston Local Schools | www.kenstonlocal.org