Barnwell School District 45

COVID-19 Protocols for 2022-23 School Year

DHEC has released the latest requirements related to COVID-19 and protocols for the 2022-23 school year.

• DHEC now requires school districts to report when a cohort (meaning a class, group or team) of more than 5 individuals (students and/or staff) has 20% or more positive cases within 72 hours.

• Barnwell School District 45 is required to track positive cases, and if a cohort that your student participates in (such as a class, team or club) has 20% or more positive cases within 72 hours, BSD45 will notify DHEC. While not required by DHEC, schools will provide additional notification to families of students that are in a cohort with 20% or more positive cases.

• The following DHEC requirements will continue from last year:

  • If your child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, with or without fever (100.4 or greater), they must be excluded from school and may return with a negative COVID test OR a doctor’s note clearing return with no further exclusion.

    • New/worsening cough

    • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

    • New loss of taste and smell

  • If your child tests positive for COVID, you must report it to the school, and your child must isolate for 5 days.

    • If your child tests positive for COVID-19, they may return to school activities, as outlined in the provided guidance, on Day 6 as long as the following DHEC requirements are met:

      • Symptoms are significantly improving and no fever in the past 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication

      • Mask must be worn days 6 through 10

      • Please note that while students may return to in-person school on day #6 as long as DHEC requirements are met, students are not eligible to participate in athletics until after Day 10.

If you have any questions about these DHEC requirements, please contact the front office of your school.

Guidance for Schools and Out-of-Home Child Care Centers: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Things to Know about the COVID-19 Pandemic

• COVID-19 Vaccine

• COVID-19 Quick Facts

• Poster: Stop the Spread of Germs

• Social Media Graphics

• • How is coronavirus spread?

  • What are the symptoms?

  • Who is at risk?

  • How is it prevented?

• FAQ videos

  • What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

  • Am I at risk for COVID-19 infection?

  • Stop the Spread of Germs (COVID-19)

Additional Resources

There are numerous resources from the South Carolina and Federal government to help you, your family, and community. Please take advantage of the below resources while we continue to combat the coronavirus.

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

• About Coronavirus

• Frequently Asked Questions

The Medical University of South Carolina

• Free Virtual Screening for COVID-19

Prisma Health

• Free Virtual Visit for COVID-19 with payment code COVID19

South Carolina Emergency Management

• Live Updates

• State Government Office Closures

South Carolina Department of Education

• School Guidelines

• Use of School Buses for Meals and Instructional Packets Delivery

• COVID-19 Guidance from Superintendent Molly Spearman

Department of Veterans Affairs

• What Veterans Affairs is doing to Address Coronavirus

Medicare

• Medicare & Coronavirus

State Department

• Travel Advisories

IRS

• Coronavirus Tax Relief

U.S. Small Business Administration

• Disaster Loan Assistance

Library of Congress

• Student Discovery Sets

• Read Classic Children's Books Online

For questions or concerns about abuse, please contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), 1-888-CARE4US (888- 227-3487).