Starting today, Monday, October 18, Caroline County Public Schools (CCPS) will use a modified process for quarantining unvaccinated students identified as close contacts of a positive case of COVID-19.
The new, modified procedures come based on updated guidance from the Caroline County Health Department (CCHD) and are in effect immediately. They follow two paths, depending on the masking situation of the immediate school environment in question.
According to a CCPS press release:
In settings where all students are masked, an asymptomatic student who is identified as a close contact will no longer need to quarantine from school as long as the following conditions are met:
- If at any time the student develops symptoms of COVID-19, he or she should isolate and get tested right away.
- The student must continue to wear a mask properly for 14 days after the exposure in all settings.
- The student cannot participate in activities within a school or public setting for 14 days where universal masking and social distancing are not in place. This includes sports and extracurricular activities.
- Testing is recommended 3-5 days following the exposure.
Parents will be notified by email only if their child is identified as a close contact while masked. Parents should ensure their email address is current with the school, and check their email regularly.
The new procedures diverge in situations without masking:
Students who are identified as close contacts while not wearing a mask (such as during meals) will continue to be quarantined. Students currently quarantined under these conditions (no masks) must remain quarantined as directed. Parents unsure of the conditions of their child’s quarantine should check with the school nurse.
Parents will be notified by phone, followed by a letter in the mail. There are two options for quarantined students:
- Option A: Quarantine at home for 10 days from the last date of known exposure. Your child can return as long as they remain without symptoms.
- Option B: Quarantine at home for 7 days from the last date of known exposure with testing on or after day 5 from exposure. Your child can return to school on day 8 with a negative test result.
