Closure Considerations
When a person has been identified (confirmed) or suspected to be COVID-19 positive; the process in the District may include:
• Having school administrators collaborate and coordinate with local health officials to make school closure and large event cancellation decisions.
• Establish a plan to close schools for physical attendance of students, if necessary, based on public health guidance and in coordination with the local DOH. Establishing a decision-making tree at the District level.
• A plan has been developed for continuity of education, medical and social services, and establish alternate mechanisms for these to continue.
• Implement, as needed, short-term closure procedures regardless of community spread if an infected person has been in a school building. If this happens, CDC recommends the following procedures: o Closing off areas used by ill person(s) and locking off area(s), signage can also be used to ensure no one enters the area. If possible, wait 24 hours before you clean and disinfect. If it is not possible to wait 24 hours, wait as long as possible. Do not use the area(s) until cleaning and disinfection has taken place.
o Opening outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
o Cleaning staff should clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the ill person(s), focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
o Communicating as soon as possible with staff, parents, and students.
• Using DOH guidance/procedures for when someone tests positive.
o In consultation with the local DOH, a school official may consider whether school closure is warranted and period of time (prior to re-opening) based on the risk level within the specific community as determined by the local DOH.
o In accordance with guidance for quarantine at home after close contact, the classroom or office where the COVID-19-positive individual was based will typically need to close temporarily as students or staff quarantine. o Additional close contacts at school outside of a classroom should also quarantine at home.
• Closing of schools could be a regional decision.
o 7 metrics - NYS Dashboard
Schools will reopen if a region is in Phase IV and the daily infection rate remains below 5% using a 14-day average
Schools will close if the regional infection rate is greater than 9% using a 7-day average after August 1, 2020
• Thresholds will be determined on a case-by-case basis dependent on the numbers (school closures may be a response).
• Buildings may consider closing if required cleaning products (bleach and water can be used as a cleaning product) and PPE are not available.