Summer & Fall 2022
MPS COVID-19 Symptom Checklist
Revised 6/1/22
Added to website 6/10/22
Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Muscle aches or body aches
Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
Headache when in combination with other symptoms
Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
The symptom list above applies to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals who experience any symptoms on the list above should follow MPS Protocol for Symptomatic Individuals.
MPS Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines for Students & Staff
Isolation Protocol for Students and Staff Who Have Tested Positive for COVID-19
Duration: Self-isolation, minimum of 5 days after symptom onset or after positive PCR/ antigen test. MPS will accept symptom onset date as start of isolation so long as it is no longer than 48 hours prior to testing.
Return to school: After 5 days and if,
o Fever free for 24 hours (and without taking fever-reducing medications)
o Experienced improvement in other symptoms.
o Mask wearing is recommended until Day 10 other than when eating, sleeping or outside.
If the individual is unable to mask, testing is recommended on day five or later.
Quarantine Protocol for STUDENTS Who are Close Contacts to a Positive COVID-19 Case
VACCINATED and UNVACCINATED students remain exempt from quarantine protocols regardless if they are a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case within or outside of school setting if they remain asymptomatic.
If MPS is notified that a student is a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case, they may continue to attend programming as long as the student remains asymptomatic.
Mask wearing is recommended until Day 10 other than when eating, sleeping or outside after last contact with a positive individual.
A test on days 2 and 5 is recommended, but not required.
Symptomatic students can remain in their school or program if they test negative and symptoms are not worse.
Symptomatic students should be sent home for testing and allowed to return to their school or program if they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms have resolved/improved, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis.
A negative test is strongly recommended for return if the latter two conditions are met.
Best practice would also include wearing a mask with any mild symptoms, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved.
STAFF: Quarantine Protocol for VACCINATED Individuals Who are Close Close Contacts to a Positive COVID-19 Case
DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios - SY 2021-22
VACCINATED staff remain exempt from quarantine protocols regardless if they are a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case within or outside of school setting if they remain asymptomatic.
If MPS is notified that a vaccinated staff member is a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case, they may continue to attend programming as long as staff remains asymptomatic.
Mask wearing is recommended until Day 10 other than when eating, sleeping or outside after last contact with a positive individual.
Individuals should closely monitor for symptoms and test accordingly.
Symptomatic staff can self-test and remain in their school or program if they test negative and symptoms are mild.
Staff can continue to self-test and work so long as they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms have resolved/improved, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis.
A negative test is strongly recommended for return if the latter two conditions are met.
Best practice would also include wearing a mask with any mild symptoms, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved.
STAFF: Quarantine Protocol for UNVACCINATED Individuals Who are Close Contacts to a Positive COVID-19 Case
WITHIN SCHOOL SETTING
UNVACCINATED staff remain exempt from quarantine protocols if they are a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case within the school setting if they remain asymptomatic.
UNVACCINATED staff who notify MPS that they are a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case within the school setting DO NOT have to quarantine if they remain asymptomatic.
Mask wearing is recommended until Day 10 other than when eating, sleeping or outside after last contact with a positive individual.
Individuals should closely monitor for symptoms and test accordingly.
Symptomatic staff can remain in their school or program if they test negative and symptoms are not worse.
Symptomatic staff can self-test and remain in their school or program if they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms have resolved/improved, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis.
A negative test is strongly recommended for return if the latter two conditions are met.
Best practice would also include wearing a mask with any mild symptoms, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved.
OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL SETTING
UNVACCINATED staff are required to follow quarantine protocols if they are a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case outside of the school setting.
UNVACCINATED staff who notify MPS that they are a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case outside of the school NEED to quarantine.
Duration: Quarantine is at least 5 days from the date of exposure.
Return to School: After 5 days, returning on day 6, provided they:
Remain asymptomatic
Mask wearing is recommended until Day 10 other than when eating, sleeping or outside
If the individual is unable to mask, testing is recommended on day five or later.
Conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 10
Self-isolate if symptoms develop