“These were updated to reflect recent changes in guidance from the Center for Disease Control regarding close contact, fever thresholds, and we also updated the protocols for returning to school/work,” it read.
Updates include:
- A change to the definition of close contact: Close contact is now defined as being directly exposed to infectious secretions, such as being coughed on, or being within 6 feet for a total of approximately 15 minutes throughout the course of a day. Either must occur during the infectious period of the case, or two days prior to symptom onset to 10 days after symptom onset. Close contact was previously defined as a largely uninterrupted or sustained extended contact period throughout the course of a day of approximately 15 minutes.
- A change in the type of test allowed for symptomatic students to return to campus: A student may return to campus when the campus nurse has confirmed with the family the following: 10 days have passed from symptom onset, the receipt of a negative test with required documentation, or an alternate doctor diagnosis and improvement of symptoms and at least 24 hours have passed with no fever without medication. This has changed from the previously required two negative tests at least 48 hours apart.
- A change in the definition of fever, which is now considered greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It was previously defined as greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
As of 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 2, 168 total lab-confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported to the district since Aug. 19. Nonetheless, officials insist while there has been an uptick in cases, they are not seeing the spread on campuses, but rather individuals are contracting the disease while out in the community. Parents can track COVID-19 cases in the district and at each school on the district’s coronavirus dashboard, which is updated as cases are reported.
