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COVID Q&A for Leaders
COVID Q&A for Leaders
Where can I find reliable and accurate resources and information to review and share with my staff regarding COVID?
If a staff member self-identifies as possibly being exposed to COVID-19, they will quarantine for 14 days and may choose to have a test. If they take a test and it comes out negative, do they STILL remain quarantined for 14 days?
The first symptoms screening question asks “Have you had close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) in the last 14 day with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or been instructed to quarantine”. If a staff member answers “yes” they should quarantine for 14 days, even if testing negative.
Many of my science teachers are very anxious - that is concerning other staff members. How should I address their concerns and fears?
This is a new virus and there are a lot of unknowns. It is understandable and expected to be anxious and worried. We must maintain vigilance and remember to continue all of the preventative measures to protect us. As we learn more about this pandemic we will continue to adapt and implement procedures that are protective.
Who has received those isolation room follow up documents and if it was principals, where can we find those?
Arrival and Isolation Room Guidance was shared at leadership meetings in September. Documentation was shared in the safety trainings at the beginning of the year. Staff working in the isolation rooms also received the documentation. This link goes to Isolation Room Guidelines which has a link for follow up for families.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12eb-jibId1TRsBuvO2HPsCwzxlal6xspZ8Y16PoiC6E/edit
On the protocol flow chart there is an area that says "principals will determine need to send initial CMS short term exclusion or non-exclusion" letter that comes before the health department letter. What is that?
We worked with MCPH to have notification available for principals before they may have confirmation from the health department in case we need to have students stay home temporarily (or we receive notification over the weekend)
What if teacher in remote learning has COVID but was here two days just this week and tested positive today?
We should report any cases that have been in the building within 14 days of testing positive.
Follow up question: If we are reporting cases in the tracker for students who haven't been on campus, but we aren't sending non-exposure letters, it can send a message that we aren't being transparent with families. Are we able to send the CMS letter in these cases?
We are not reporting cases for students in full-remote only students or athletes who have been in the building within 14 days of positive test
When do you think a vaccine will be rolling out? And why don't we wait until it does?
Vaccines may begin to be available to some essential medical staff by the end of December but the supply and distribution process has limitations and will take longer than that for the vaccine to be available to school staff.
So when in doubt, if the situation is borderline regarding close contact guidelines, would it be better to quarantine than not to quarantine?
If you are unsure and it is possible they were in close contact when contagious, we would quarantine. We don’t want to quarantine everyone so if possible keeping seating charts, schedules and an awareness of 6 feet distance is helpful. If unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Is the health department/CMS considering zip code and school specific responses for harder hit communities?
We have access to zip code data and areas with higher case rates, we do also monitor cases associated with specific schools
If we have students quarantined (not getting tested and staying out 10 days) and staff quarantined due to other exposures (not in school), are we to report these quarantines anywhere?
We are not tracking quarantines at a district level. They do not need to be reported. Isolation room tracking documents are where I would recommend tracking that information.
If the incubation period is 2-14 days, can you explain the reasoning behind a close contact only being considered within the time frame of 48 hours (or less) from the onset of symptoms?
If someone was exposed to the virus, if they become infected they develop symptoms within 14 days The incubation period of the virus is the timeframe from when you were exposed to how long you could have virus building in your system to make you sick. Once someone is infected, they may be able to spread the disease 2 days before they start having symptoms.
Are CMS sites experiencing positivity aligned with the larger county wide ongoing disproportionate numbers in vulnerable communities by zip code?
We have not yet looked at the zip code data related to cases we see in our schools.
Face masks: are they to be worn by all staff members, at all times (in classroom when alone, when on Zoom meetings, outdoors, etc.)?
In compliance with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction:
All CMS staff are required to always wear a mask in school buildings and on school grounds. Even if you are able to be more than six feet apart, you must still wear a mask.
Limited exceptions to this requirement include:
The employee (instructional staff only) is providing virtual instruction from a classroom when no other people besides the teacher/instructional staff member are physically present in the classroom.
The employee is eating, drinking, or engaging in rigorous physical activity (note that a mask is required when exercising indoors).
The employee is on a short or structured break in an area where the risk of transmission is low, e.g. outdoors, alone for a brief break, etc. Structured breaks are those scheduled by the employee’s supervisor.
The employee has been granted an exception through the CMS Human Resources Department due to developmental, medical, or behavioral health needs that cause the employee to be unable to tolerate a face covering. An exception may require the use of a face shield.
The employee is having trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
The link below includes the most recent guidance regarding mask requirements:
https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/about/managing-overall-health/FAQs-Cloth-Face-Coverings.pdf
What is the communication when someone has been exposed (outside of school) and has symptoms but didn't get a positive test?
There is no communication from the health department if a test is not confirmed. We are looking into protocols to identify presumed positive cases (if a family member tests positive, student has symptoms but not tested) and provide some notification in those situations.
If someone has been out of the country, do they need to quarantine for 14 days prior to coming on campus?
No, because there is significant community spread there are concerns of exposure regardless of travel. CDC does not recommend non-essential travel but there are no requirements to quarantine. Remember to avoid crowds, stay 6 feet apart, wear masks and stay home if sick or in contact with anyone sick.
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