Close Contact Quarantine Protocols

MANSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Close Contact/Quarantine Protocols for School Year 2021-22

1/2/22

The Department of Public Health has adopted updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding isolation and quarantine periods for the general population, effective immediately. For the general public, this updated guidance shortens the recommended time for isolation and quarantine from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic or improvement in symptoms, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/isolation-and-quarantine-guidance-for-the-general-public#what-do-i-do-if-i-test-positive?-

This updated isolation guideline applies to K-12 schools. There have also been changes to MA DPH and DESE approved quarantine protocols for public schools.

DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios - SY 2021-22

UPDATED ISOLATION GUIDANCE FOR VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED:

• If students/staff tested positive over winter break, please contact your primary care doctor for guidance.

• Individuals can return to school on day 6 and once they have been:

  • Fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medications; and,

  • Experienced improvement in other symptoms.

• IF AN INDIVIDUAL HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID, DESE/DPH DOES NOT RECOMMEND REPEAT TESTING PRIOR TO RETURNING TO SCHOOL.

• Proper mask wearing is essential for return to school after 5 days of isolation.

• Your school nurses will be reaching out with back to school dates for cases that they are aware of.

UNVACCINATED CLOSE CONTACTS FROM AN IN-SCHOOL SETTING:

• In the school setting, close contacts continue to be unvaccinated individuals who are less than three feet from a COVID positive individual with or without a mask.

• Unvaccinated individuals who are identified as in-school close contacts continue to be eligible for the Test & Stay program and will be testing on school days for 5 days.

• Individuals who are part of the Test & Stay protocols are eligible to participate in school sports and extracurricular activities on school days.

• MPS does not provide testing on non-school days.

• Information on participation for non-school days is forthcoming.

UNVACCINATED CLOSE CONTACTS FROM AN OUT-OF-SCHOOL SETTING:

• Unvaccinated individuals who are identified as contacts from an out-of-school setting such as a household contact or contact from an extracurricular non-school activity, need to quarantine at home.

• Quarantine period for an out-of-school contact is now 5 days if the individual remains symptom free.

• Testing is not required to return to school if an individual does not develop symptoms.

• TESTING IS REQUIRED AT ANY TIME SYMPTOMS DEVELOP.

• MPS will now accept at-home antigen tests.

• If an unvaccinated individual has symptoms and tests negative for COVID, they can return to school when symptoms improve and it is past five days from exposure.

VACCINATED CLOSE CONTACTS FROM AN IN-SCHOOL or OUT-OF-SCHOOL SETTING:

• Fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from quarantine protocols.

• In the school setting, fully vaccinated is defined as two-weeks following the completion of the Pfizer or Moderna series or two-weeks following a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

• WE WILL NO LONGER BE NOTIFYING VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS OF CLASSROOM EXPOSURE AS IT IS NO LONGER RECOMMENDED TO TEST AT ANY POINT POST EXPOSURE IF VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS REMAIN SYMPTOMS FREE.

• Symptom monitoring is expected daily for all members of our school community.

• If a vaccinated individual experiences symptoms at any time, they are advised to refer to the DAILY SYMPTOM SCREENING CHECKLIST for symptoms that require immediate testing. If applicable the individual should remain home and seek testing.

• If the vaccinated individual has symptoms that do not require immediate testing they can attend school if mild or remain home and monitor. You can return to school without testing.

• If symptoms do not resolve or get worse, please call physician for guidance and/or obtain a COVID test.

• We are now accepting at home antigen tests.

RETURN TO SCHOOL GUIDANCE FOR MONDAY JANUARY 3rd:

• Students and staff who have tested POSITIVE on or after 12/29 need to stay home from school on Monday.

• Students and staff who tested POSITIVE on or before 12/28 can return to school if symptoms have improved and no fever for 24 hours. Proper mask wearing is imperative.

• If an individual has tested positive for COVID, DPH/DESE does not recommend repeat testing prior to returning to school.

• Unvaccinated students and staff who have had an out of school contact to a positive case on or after Thursday 12/29 need to stay home from school on Monday.

• Vaccinated students and staff who have had an out of school contact to a positive case at any point during the vacation week can return to school on Monday if they remain symptom free.

• To ensure a safe return to school MONDAY JANUARY 3rd if students or staff have ANY viral symptoms, STAY HOME.

  • If vaccinated and symptoms resolve, you can return to school without testing.

  • If vaccinated and symptoms do not resolve, please call physician for guidance and/or obtain a COVID test.

  • If unvaccinated, please test for any symptoms.

• We are now accepting at home antigen tests.

• Do not send your child to school if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or if they are awaiting a COVID test. “When in doubt, keep them out!”

• SCHOOL NURSES WILL NOT BE TESTING STUDENTS OR STAFF ON MONDAY MORNING FOR SYMPTOMS OR CLOSE CONTACT. INDIVIDUALS WILL BE DISMISSED TO FOLLOW ABOVE GUIDELINES.

Contact your school nurse for further guidance next week but be patient for response as we are experiencing a high volume of calls and emails. Our website will be updated this week with new protocols and FAQs.

*NEW* DESE/DPH Guidance 12/31/21

The Department of Public Health has adopted updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding isolation and quarantine periods for the general population, effective immediately. For the general public, this updated guidance shortens the recommended time for isolation and quarantine from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic or improvement in symptoms, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/what-to-do-if-you-have-covid-19-or-have-been-exposed-to-covid-19#what-do-i-do-if-i-test-positive?-

This updated isolation guideline applies to K-12 schools. If your student tested positive over winter break, please contact your pediatrician's office for guidance. Students can return to school after five days if symptoms have improved. Students need to stay home if symptoms are not resolving or if they have had a fever in the last 24 hours as with any viral illness. Please review the importance of proper mask wearing with your students before returning to school. Your school nurses will be reaching out with back to school dates for cases that they are aware of.

There have also been changes to MA DPH and DESE approved quarantine protocols for public schools: DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios - SY 2021-22

In the school setting, close contacts continue to be unvaccinated individuals who are less than three feet from a COVID positive individual. Fully vaccinated individuals are exempt for quarantine protocols. In the school setting, fully vaccinated is defined as two-weeks following the completion of the Pfizer or Moderna series or two-weeks following a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. We will no longer be notifying vaccinated individuals of classroom exposure as it is no longer recommended to test at any point during quarantine if a vaccinated individual remains symptoms free. Symptom monitoring is expected daily. If a vaccinated individual experiences symptoms at any time, they are advised to stay home from school and monitor symptoms. Please see DAILY SYMPTOM SCREENING CHECKLIST for symptoms that require immediate testing.

Unvaccinated individuals who are identified as in-school close contacts continue to be eligible for the Test & Stay program. These contacts will be tested on school days for 5 days. Individuals who are part of the Test and Stay protocols are eligible to participate in school sports and extracurricular activities on school days. MPS does not provide testing on non-school days. information on participation for non-school days is forthcoming.

If an unvaccinated individual is identified as a contact from an out-of-school contact such as an household contact or contact from an extracurricular non-school activity, they need to quarantine at home. The quarantine period is now 5 days if the individual remains symptom free. Testing is not required to return to school. Testing is required if at any time symptoms develop. MPS will now accept at-home antigen tests. Testing no longer needs to be proctored or performed by a healthcare professional.

UNVACCINATED students and staff need to stay home from school on Monday if they have had an out of school contact to a positive case on or after Thursday 12/29. Students and staff who have tested POSITIVE need to stay home from school on Monday if they tested on or after Thursday 12/29.

If an individual has tested positive for COVID, DESE/DPH guidance does not recommend repeat testing prior to returning to school, so long as individuals are asymptomatic and/or their symptoms are improving.

Contact your school nurse for further guidance next week but be patient for response as we are experiencing a high volume of emails.

Our website will be updated this week with new protocols and FAQs.

DESE/DPH Guidance 8/19/21

Definition of a Close Contact:

Close contacts are defined as anyone who has been within 6-feet of a COVID positive individual while indoors for at least 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. Exposure time begins 48 hours prior to symptom onset (or time of positive test if asymptomatic) and continues until the time the positive individual is isolated.

This year, certain categories of close contacts are EXEMPT from quarantine. Close contacts exempt from quarantine include:

• Asymptomatic, fully vaccinated close contacts (Fully vaccinated individuals who are identified as a close contact in a household are advised to test days 3-5 and remain masked indoors while awaiting test results.)

• Classroom close contacts greater than three feet: Individuals who are exposed to a COVID positive individual in the classroom while both individuals were masked and are greater than 3 feet

• Bus close contacts: Individuals on buses who are masked on buses when windows are open (individuals must be masked on public transportation according to federal requirements)

• Close contacts who have had COVID within the past 90 days and remain symptom free

RECOMMENDED TESTING AND QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS:

• Protocol A: For Individuals who Test Positive for COVID

• Protocol B: Protocol for Asymptomatic Close Contacts

• Protocol C: Protocol for Symptomatic Individuals

PROTOCOL A: For individuals Who Test Positive for COVID

Duration: Self-isolation for COVID-19 positive cases is a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset or after positive PCR or antigen test, if asymptomatic.

Return to school: After 10 days and once individual has:

• Have improvement in symptoms (including fever free for 24 hrs without the use of fever-reducing medications)

• Individuals who do not meet these criteria after 10 days may receive clearance from either public health authority contact tracers (the local board of health or Community Tracing Collaborative) or medical health care provider before returning to school.

• Return to school should be based on time and symptom resolution. Repeat testing prior to return is not recommended.

Protocol B: Protocol for Asymptomatic Close Contacts

All asymptomatic, fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from quarantine and will follow Protocol B-4.

Fully vaccinated individuals are expected to monitor for symptoms and stay home and get tested if they experience any symptoms during their 14 days post-exposure. It is also recommended to test on day 5 of their quarantine regardless of symptoms.

In some cases, individuals may be asked to follow specific testing and quarantine protocols (including durations for quarantine/isolation) provided by contact tracers or local health officials which may differ from the recommended protocols below.

Protocol B-1: Asymptomatic Close Contacts who Are Not Exempt from Quarantine (less than three feet distance in school)

Test and Stay (RECOMMENDED)

UNVACCINATED AND ASYMPTOMATIC

• Duration of Test and Stay: Stay in school, test every day for 7 days from the date of exposure

  • • MUST have signed consent PRIOR to being eligible for this option

• Return to School: Close contacts can remain in school and do not have to quarantine, as long as they:

o Are asymptomatic

o Wear masks in school at all times, other than when eating or drinking

o Take a rapid antigen test (BinaxNOW) on each school day and receive a negative result.

o Conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 14, and self-isolate at home if symptoms develop

• When the 7 days from date of exposure includes weekends or holidays, individuals should quarantine on weekends, and if they remain asymptomatic, upon return to school be tested immediately. If the individual remains negative, they can stay in school.

• For school sponsored events and sports that take place on non-school days, testing will still be required on those days to participate. Weekend testing is being explored.

Protocol B-2: Traditional Quarantine Protocol with Testing

Protocol B-2: Traditional protocol will be followed if an individual is identified as a close contact outside of the school setting or if an individual chooses NOT to participate in the Test-and-Stay program and is identified as a school close contact.

• Duration: Quarantine is at least 7 days from the date of exposure

• Return to School: After 7 days, returning on day 8, provided that they:

o Remain asymptomatic

o Receive a documented COVID test performed outside of school on day 5 or later and receive a negative result

o Conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 14, and self-isolate if symptoms develop

Protocol B-3: Traditional Quarantine Protocol without Testing

Protocol B-3: Alternate protocol for those close contacts who choose NOT to participate in the Test-and-Stay program or testing on day 5 for a seven day quarantine for outside of school contact:

• Duration: Quarantine is at least 10 days from the date of exposure

• Return to School: After 10 days, returning on day 11, provided that the individual:

o Has not experienced symptoms up to this point and

o Conducts active monitoring for symptoms through day 14 and

self-isolates if symptoms develop.

If an individual has symptoms at the time they are designated as a close contact or within the 14 days following initial exposure, they follow the protocol for symptomatic individuals (Protocol C). If an individual tests positive at any time, they follow the protocol for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 (Protocol A).

Protocol B-4: Asymptomatic Close Contacts who Are Exempt from Quarantine and Are Vaccinated

• Duration of Test and Stay: Stay in school, testing is strongly recommended on day five post exposure and can be completed at school.

o If negative, continue to monitor symptoms for 14 days post exposure. If symptoms develop, contact primary care provider or for testing.

o If positive, follow protocol for individuals who test positive for COVID.

Protocol C: Protocol for Symptomatic Individuals

Protocol C-1: Protocol for Vaccinated and Non-Vaccinated Individuals who Experience COVID Symptoms Listed on Symptom Checklist and Consent to Testing

• Duration: Dependent on symptom resolution

• Return to School: Individuals may return to school after they:

Have improvement in symptoms (including fever free for 24 hrs without the use of fever-reducing medications) with a negative test result for COVID.

• If a vaccinated individual has minimal symptoms and tests negative, they may remain in school if acceptable by the school nurse.

• If a vaccinated individual has a combination of symptoms and tests negative, they will be dismissed and advised.

• If an individual is unvaccinated and has any symptoms, they will be dismissed and advised.

• If symptoms persist, recommendations for further testing will be discussed with your school nurse.

• If an individual is not a close contact, a medical professional can make an alternative diagnosis for the COVID-like symptoms, the individual may use this recommendation (e.g., for influenza or strep pharyngitis) in lieu of a COVID test.

• If the symptomatic individual was a close contact who is not exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols, after symptoms resolve and they receive a negative COVID test, they should follow Test and Stay or traditional quarantine protocol.

If there is a reasonable question on the BinaxNOW test results, PCR confirmation is recommended. This is most likely to happen when a highly symptomatic individual has a negative test, unless there is an alternative diagnosis. If the results are discordant, for the purposes of these protocols the PCR result would be taken as the true result, assuming the two tests are done within 2 days of each other.

Protocol C-2: Alternative protocol for Symptomatic Individuals who Are Not Close Contacts and Choose Not to Receive a COVID Test to Return to School

• Duration: Isolation is at least 10 days from symptom onset

• Return to School - After 10 days, returning on day 11, assuming the individual:

~Have improvement in symptoms (including fever free for 24 hrs without the use of fever-reducing medications) with a negative test result for COVID.

Acceptable Tests:

Mansfield Public Schools will accept the following tests:

• FDA EUA-approved molecular SARS-CoV 2 PCR test

• Rapid molecular tests (such as Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test)

• Facility administered Antigen tests (such as BinaxNOW) – can NOT be over the counter or done at home

If there is a reasonable question on the antigen test results, PCR confirmation is recommended. This is most likely to happen when a highly symptomatic individual has a negative test, unless there is an alternative diagnosis. If the results are discordant, for the purposes of these protocols the PCR result would be taken as the true result, assuming the two tests are done within 2 days of each other.