Frisco ISD updates quarantine guidelines for COVID-19

Frisco ISD has updated its guidelines for quarantines involving close contact related to COVID-19, according to information presented at the April 12 board meeting.

Those required to quarantine after having close contact with someone who tests positive will be allowed to return to campus after seven days as long as they receive a negative test on day five or later. Those who do not wish to get tested must stay off campus for 10 days, according to Daniel Stockton, the district’s executive director of government and legal affairs.

As for the number of new cases being reported in the district, Stockton said, “It’s very clear that we’ve seen a major, very steep decline since the end of January, which is just phenomenal.”

In January, the district peaked at 58 average daily new cases. That compares with 10 average daily new cases in recent weeks, he said.

According to Stockton, 9,739 students and staff have completed quarantine for having a close contact with a positive case on campus this school year. Of those, 1.71% have tested positive with no known external exposure, Stockton said.

He said the district’s mask policy will remain in place through the end of the school year. Part of that reasoning is related to the district’s policy on quarantines. If a person who tests positive and a person in close contact are both wearing masks, no quarantine is required, he said.

Because of masks, Stockton told the board, 5,914 quarantines were avoided in the district between October and April 4.

Policies related to COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year will be worked out over the summer, he said.