New Reduced Quarantines to be Pilot Tested Starting March 8, we will implement a pilot program to reduce quarantine lengths for some students. We have already moved to shortened quarantine guidelines for school staff. These changes are possible based on updated quarantine guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the increasing number of school staff who are now vaccinated and new MDH recommendations for student athletes. When possible, quarantine lengths will be reduced for our early learning school, elementary students and high school winter sports athletes who are determined to be close contacts to someone who has tested for COVID-19. How Were Quarantine Pilot Program Participants Determined? In addition to the rationale above, our early learning and elementary students were selected for the pilot program based on data collected by our licensed school nurses that indicates that "our youngest learners through 5th grade" who have previously been quarantined did not go on to contract COVID-19 themselves. High school winter sports athletes were selected for the pilot program to be in alignment with the Minnesota State High School League. In an effort to continue to move forward cautiously and carefully, we will be closely monitoring this pilot program until the end of March, at which point we will re-evaluate if the reduced quarantine time options should be continued and/or expanded to possibly include secondary students. The pilot program may be stopped at any point if it is deemed necessary due to a rise in COVID-19 cases or other factors. COVID-19 Quarantine Guideline Options The following procedures for quarantine will be implemented starting March 8, 2021. Please note that all decisions regarding which quarantine is most appropriate will be dependent on each situation and determined by the school nurse who is conducting contact tracing. Who may qualify for a 7-day quarantine? - Students who complete and secure a negative molecular test, not an antigen or antibody/blood test, at least five full days after you had close contact. Negative results must be submitted to your school LSN and approved prior to returning.
- Your student has not had any symptoms.
- No one in your home is sick or has COVID-19.
- Your student must quarantine the entire seven days even with a negative test. The quarantine period can never be shorter than seven days. Your student may return on Day 8.
- After seven days, continue to watch for symptoms. If symptoms develop, stay home. Be extra cautious about following safety protocols. It is recommended that you maintain social distancing at all times during the 14 days after the exposure.
Who may qualify for a 10- day quarantine? In this situation, your student is not required to have a negative test however; completing a molecular test between days 8-10 is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of spread at school. You may return on Day 11. - A student who is not displaying any symptoms.
- A student who has not had a positive test for COVID-19.
- No one in your household has symptoms of or a positive COVID-19 test.
- After 10 days, continue to watch for symptoms. If symptoms develop, stay home. Be extra cautious about following safety protocols. It is recommended that you maintain social distancing at all times during the 14 days after the exposure.
Who may qualify for a 14-day quarantine or longer? - A student who lives with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or who is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
Safety Protocols Will Remain in Place In all these situations, everyone must continue the following safety protocols. - Complete at-home health checks and make the responsible decision to stay home when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Wear a well-fitted or double mask throughout the entire school day.
- Maintain MDH/MDE social distancing requirements in effect for in-person learning.
- Practice frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer at one of many designated locations throughout the school.
- MDE strongly recommends that students and families that are learning in-person be tested for COVID-19 every two weeks. There are many locations providing free COVID-19 testing.
For more information, send an email to your school nurse. Thank you for your continued partnership. 210 County Road 101 N, P.O. Box 660, Wayzata, MN 55391 | 763-745-5000 |