These guidelines are not recommended for children in childcare settings where children cannot mask (babies, infants under 2).
See our previous post for full details on updated guidelines for the general public.
The Key Points:
➡️ Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19 should ISOLATE for 5 days, then wear a good mask when around others for the next 5 days. This applies ONLY if asymptomatic OR symptoms are improved and the student/staff member is fever free without taking medication for 24 hours.
➡️ Anyone who is not fully vaccinated or boosted if 18+ should quarantine after an exposure to COVID-19 for 5 days, then strictly mask for 5 days around others
➡️ Anyone who has had COVID-19 in the past 90 days or has received the recommended vaccine doses and/or is boosted if 18+ does NOT need to quarantine but SHOULD strictly mask around others for 10 days.
➡️ Screening testing (testing people regularly when asymptomatic) is recommended once a week for students and staff in places where there is moderate to high community transmission (most of the U.S. right now).
➡️ Students and staff who engage in high risk sports should have screening testing once a week for areas of low transmission and twice a week for areas of moderate transmission. In areas of high transmission, high risk sports should be cancelled.
➡️ Low risk sports should have screening testing weekly in areas of moderate or higher transmission.
🧪 Earlier this week the CDC also recommended test to stay as a strategy to keep exposed students in school. “Test to stay” means that students who had an exposure to someone with COVID-19 but did not have symptoms could stay in school with regular testing (where the frequency of testing varies depending on location).
😷 Remember that other recommended measures still matter and include: vaccination for anyone 5 years of age or older, mandating masking, ensuring spacing, promoting ventilation, providing supportive policies for sick leave for staff, and having learning plans for students out of school.
It is important to remember that putting these guidelines in place will depend on local and state authorities and the specific local factors. How this is done should support the safest return to in person learning based on the school’s context.
The takeaway: The CDC has updated guidance for K-12 schools to be in line with the general population for quarantine and isolation. The CDC has also recommended increasing screening testing recommendations for all students and staff and suggested stricter screening testing guidance on students and staff engaged in sports and activities. All of this is intended to maximize student learning while keeping people safe. We will be monitoring how this rolls out and highlight best practices.
With love,
Those Nerdy Girls
