The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends isolation for those who test positive for COVID-19 (with or without symptoms) and a quarantine period for those who are exposed to a positive case. Earlier this month, the CDC recommended a reduction in the length of at-home isolation/quarantine. GCPS is following this guidance, with consideration of several factors.
Isolation Protocol for Confirmed and Probable COVID-19 Cases
Students and staff members who test positive for COVID-19 (or who are noted as probable cases) will be expected to isolate at home to prevent the spread of illness, based on guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH).
If a student or staff member develops symptoms, the person will isolate for five days from the time symptoms first appeared. If the student or staff member isolates for five or more days, is fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and symptoms have improved, he or she may return to work or school on or after Day 6. However, the individual must wear a properly fitted mask (over nose and mouth and fitted at sides) through Day 10 after the appearance of symptoms. (Mask usage after a person has met GCPS’ isolation protocol will follow the district’s mask guidance which is based on community spread.)
If the student or staff member never develops any symptoms (remains asymptomatic), isolation may be discontinued when at least five days have passed since the positive laboratory test. The asymptomatic person must wear a properly fitted mask through Day 10 after the positive lab test. (Mask usage after a person has met GCPS’ isolation protocol will follow the district’s mask guidance which is based on community spread.)
Quarantine Protocol for Those Exposed to COVID-19
GCPS follows DPH and CDC guidance for quarantine of individuals exposed to someone with COVID-19, including both in-school and out-of-school exposures.
Following the most updated guidelines from the CDC, fully vaccinated students and staff and those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to an exposure are not required to quarantine following exposure to a positive COVID-19 case and can continue to attend school/work as long as they are not experiencing any symptoms.
Unvaccinated students and staff who are wearing a mask are not required to quarantine following an exposure at school/work as long as the individual who is positive for or suspected of having COVID-19 also is wearing a mask during the time of exposure.
During times when masks are required in GCPS facilities, unvaccinated students and staff who are exposed to COVID-19—when the positive COVID case, the contact, or both are not wearing masks during the time of exposure (for example, at lunch)—can continue to attend school/work under a modified quarantine as long as they are able to wear a mask for the majority of the day while they are at school/work and are not experiencing any symptoms. Those students and staff members who are not able to wear a mask at school due to medical reasons will be required to quarantine at home.
Any unvaccinated individuals identified as a close contact to a confirmed or probable case outside of the school/work setting are required to quarantine, due to regular unmasked exposure. This means that siblings of positive students are considered to be out-of-school exposures. Therefore, they must quarantine at home following DPH guidance. In addition, an employee who is exposed to a positive case at home also would have to quarantine, following DPH guidance.
Students and staff who develop any symptoms during their 10-day quarantine period will be considered a probable case and will follow the isolation protocol.
Note that during periods when masks are not required (based on community spread and GCPS protocol), students and staff members identified as close contacts will be required to quarantine at home unless they have been fully vaccinated or have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days.