COVID MESSAGING- Updates- Jan. 2022
====
UPDATES TO COVID MITIGATION - JANUARY 10, 2022
The following message is for Hopewell Staff and Families related to COVID Updates.
As we return from the winter break, there are several important updates as we strive to keep schools open and safe for students during the current COVID-Omicron time. First, there are three very important reminders:
- Masks are required to be worn by all students and staff in our schools. The mask must have two or more layers and be worn appropriately over the nose and mouth at all times except when eating or drinking. Students who do not follow this expectation are creating a health and safety risk for themselves and others and this will be addressed.
- Students and staff must stay home if they have COVID symptoms that are new or are not typical for the student and should get tested and remain home until they receive the result. They should stay home and not participate in activities in the community that would expose others to COVID. Parents are also asked to please notify the school.
- If a student becomes sick while at school, the parent must be able to come pick up the student quickly.
- If a student does have COVID, the parent needs to notify the school administrator or nurse as soon as possible. Staff members notify their supervisor.
We also want to update you that the time students and staff stay home when they are positive with COVID has changed. Those details can be found on our website under the COVID-19 updates section.
Masks will be made available to students as needed.
We also will continue to have drive-thru COVID testing available three evenings a week for students who are having symptoms or who have been exposed. Those drive-thrus will be on Mondays at HHS at 4:30-5:30, on Tuesdays at HEJ at 4:45-5:45, and Thursdays at Woodlawn at 5:00-6:00. Families do need to register in advance for testing. Registration links can be found on our website under the COVID-19 Updates section.
Testing clinics will be held in the community for other family members at times designated by VDH. The next testing clinic will be on January 12th at 400 Cavalier Square from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. For further information you may call 804-862-8989. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
UPDATED PROCEDURES FOR ISOLATION (WHEN SOMEONE HAS COVID) AND QUARANTINE (WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID)
Recently the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) issued updated guidance on isolation and quarantine periods for those who test positive for, or are exposed to, COVID-19. Hopewell City Public Schools, in coordination with the VDH, has made updates to COVID-19 mitigation protocols based on the new guidance. Below is an overview of our division’s guidance.
If someone TESTS POSITIVE for COVID-19:
- Hopewell City Public Schools will continue to follow a 10-day isolation period for students who test positive for COVID-19. While the CDC has suggested a five-day isolation period followed by five days of strict mask use (which we already require) for positive COVID-19 cases, the additional mitigation strategies in the CDC recommendation required, such as maintaining social distance during days 6-10, are not feasible for students in an educational setting.
- Staff who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to complete at least a 5-day isolation period from the date of the test (based on symptoms and medical clearance) followed by five days of strict mask use (which we already require).
- After the required isolation period, students or staff who have tested positive may return to school/work if they have been free of fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and symptoms have significantly improved.
If someone is EXPOSED to COVID-19:
- Students or staff who are exposed, or considered close contacts, and are fully vaccinated (two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months, AND the booster if eligible) do not have to quarantine (in other words they can continue to come to school or work) when exposed to COVID-19 if they do not have symptoms, but must adhere to strict mask use with a well-fitting mask for 10 days following exposure. These students/staff are required to get a PCR test on the 5th day after the exposure, and receive a negative result. They continue to come to work or school during this time unless the test result comes back positive.
- Close contacts who are not fully vaccinated and boosted, if eligible) must now quarantine for five (5) days followed by five days of strict mask use. These staff and students are also required to get a PCR test on the 5th day after the exposure, and receive a negative result prior to returning to work or school.
- Any close contact who has a mask exemption or is unable to wear a mask must quarantine for 10 days regardless of vaccination status.
If someone is a household exposure to COVID-19:
- Those who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine when exposed within the household, but must adhere to strict mask use with a well-fitting mask, and get a PCR test immediately, and on the 15th day after the positive household member tested positive, and receive a negative result. If symptoms occur at any time, the close contact would need to quarantine immediately.
- Those who are not fully vaccinated and unable to have complete isolation from the positive household case must quarantine for the 10 days of isolation of the positive case, and an additional 5 days of quarantine. Those individuals may return after 15 days if they do not have symptoms, and get a PCR test on the 15th day, and receive a negative result.
- If an individual is able to have complete isolation from the positive household case, they would only need to quarantine for 5 days from the last date of interaction with the positive case, adhere to 5 days of strict mask use with a well-fitting mask, and get a PCR test on the 5th day after the exposure, and receive a negative result.
-----------------------------------------------------
As a reminder, we offer weekly testing for our students and staff which includes: (1) a weekly screening at multiple sites across the division throughout the week, and/or (2) diagnostic testing at drive-thrus for anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms or if exposed to someone with COVID-19. Our weekly testing offers an opportunity for staff who are not fully vaccinated to meet the school board’s requirement to submit a weekly test result, which is offered during the school day, and after-school options for convenience.
We urge you to please consider participating in these testing options, as it is an important tool available to us to keep our school community healthy and our schools open.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about these options, please visit the division website, or look for information sent out periodically from the division. Thank you for your continued efforts in making the health and safety of our students, staff, and our school community a priority.