COVID-19 Confirmed Case Protocols

Signs of illness

Any student or staff member with symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection should not be present in school. Daily health screening attestations are required prior to arriving on school campus for students and staff. Prior to entering a school building contractors, vendors, and visitors must complete a health screening attestation.

Students and staff are required to notify the school nurse when they develop symptoms or if their answers to the attestation change during or outside school hours (see Before Arrival section for more information).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) keep an up-to-date list of symptoms of Coronavirus on its website.

Staff members should report any signs of illness observed in students or adults immediately to the school nurse, to include but are not limited to:

  • Flushed cheeks;

  • Rapid or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity);

  • Fatigue, and/or irritability; or

  • Frequent use of the bathroom.

Students and staff exhibiting such signs with no other explanation for them should call the health office for direction. If a school nurse is not available, the school must contact the parent/guardian to immediately pick up their child or send the staff member home.

Students returning to school after a COVID-19 related illness will return to the Health Office with a doctors note and/or clearance from the Department of Health and be assessed by the school nurse before returning to class. Families without health insurance will be referred to Social Services for assistance.

Staff members returning to school after a COVID-19 related illness will submit a clearance from the Department of Health to Human Resources prior to returning to work.

Suspected staff as well as students who have been tested for COVID-19 or who have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, should remain at home and not come to school until results are known. A positive result will require additional isolation of the case. Quarantine and/or notification will be determined by the Nassau County Health Department in conjunction with the school district. Laboratory testing may take days until results are determined.

The chart below has been provided by the CDC to further guide the District:

Close Contact TRACING


The New York State Department of Health no longer requires Districts to conduct close contact tracing. However, if the health office identifies students or staff members who were in close contact with a positive case, those individuals will be notified so that they may monitor their symptoms.

A close contact is someone who was within six (6) feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. In the K-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within three (3) to six (6) feet of an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student correctly and consistently wore a well-fitting mask the entire time.

This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting. However, the following people with recent exposure may NOT need to quarantine:

● People who have been fully vaccinated

● People who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last three months


Fully vaccinated persons who have come into close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be tested 3-5 days after exposure.


For individuals who are not fully vaccinated, quarantining may be necessary after an exposure.

Testing

The District has an ample supply of at home test kits that are available for families and staff members to pick up from their school’s health office.

In cooperation with the School District Medical Director, School Nurse, and the COVID-19 Safety Coordinator (Administrator), individuals exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be referred to their personal physician for determination of appropriate treatment and the need to be tested.

New York State continues to increase testing capacity for COVID-19 on a daily basis. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov.

Please call the testing site or your health care provider before you go for testing.

  • If you go to a test site run by New York State, there is never any charge for your test.

  • If you go to a test site operated by local governments, private companies including pharmacies and medical practices or not-for-profit organizations, you are advised to check with the testing site and your insurer in advance of being tested to confirm you will not be responsible for any fees associated with your test.

Three local test sites are listed below:

If you have questions regarding COVID-19 symptoms or testing please call your school's health office.

Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccination among all eligible students as well as teachers, staff, and household members is the most critical strategy to help schools safely resume full operations.

Vaccinations are available at the following locations:

  1. Walgreens Pharmacy: 392-410 Plandome Rd · (516) 869-8292

  1. Maclennan Pharmacy: 588 Plandome Rd · (516) 627-2500

  1. North Shore Chemists Pharmacy: Great Neck · (516) 460-8343

  2. Manhasset Park Drugs: 290 Plandome Road · (516) 869-0101


Confirmed Case Protocols

If a student or staff member reports having tested positive for COVID-19, the school health office will notify the Nassau County Department of Health to determine what steps are needed for the school community. Parents and staff will be notified when there is a confirmed case.

Cleaning and Disinfection Following Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case

In the event an individual is confirmed to have COVID-19, cleaning and disinfection protocols will include:

  • Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, such as offices, classrooms, bathrooms, lockers, and common areas.

  • Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.

  • Once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected, it will be reopened for use.

  • Individuals without close or proximate contact with the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 can return to the area and resume school activities immediately after cleaning and disinfection.

  • If more than seven days have passed since the person who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary, but routine cleaning and disinfection should continue.

Returning to School after Illness

Students or staff members may return to school after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 following the guidance provided by NYSDOH.

The CDC provides specific guidance for individuals who are on home isolation regarding when the isolation may end.

School Closure

The District will collaborate with our local health department to determine the parameters, conditions or metrics (e.g., increased absenteeism or increased illness in school community) that will serve as early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level.

The District will consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. The District may choose to modify operations in a particular school building prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases.