Good Afternoon:
The CDC has come out with some new guidance regarding the length of time for quarantining after an exposure to a person who tested positive for COVID-19. There are two changes that may impact the date a student can return to school after an exposure to the virus.
- If the individual who was exposed to the virus remains completely symptom free for 10 days after the exposure date, that person can return to school on the 11th day. Example: Student is exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 on December 1st. They are placed on quarantine on December 2nd. The student remains symptom free for 10 days, through December 11th. The student can return to school on December 12th.
- If an individual who was exposed to the virus is symptom free for 5 days, and gets a COVID-19 test on day 5 which comes back negative, they can return to school on the 8th day. The COVID-19 test can’t be administered prior to day 5 of the quarantine period. Example: Student is exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 on December 1st. They are placed on quarantine on December 2nd. On the 5th day of quarantine, December 6th, the student is tested for COVID-19. The test comes back negative. The student can return to school on December 9th.
If an individual has any symptoms associated with COVID-19 during their quarantine period, they should remain on quarantine the entire 14 day period of time. They should only return to school when their symptoms are improving, and they are fever free without the use of fever reducing medicines for at least 24 hours.
We have been informed that the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Dubuque County Health Department will be following these new quarantine guidelines. If your child is currently on quarantine, and these new guidelines might impact the length of their quarantine, someone from their school will be contacting you to discuss a possible change in the date they can return to school.
The changes to this guidance do not impact the self-isolation period for an individual who has tested positive for the virus. Any person with a positive COVID-19 test result will still remain on self-isolation for 10 days and should only return to school on day 11 if their symptoms are improving and they are fever free without the use of fever reducing medicines for at least 24 hours. If you have any questions about any of these changes, please let us know.
Take care of yourself and your family.
Rick Colpitts, Superintendent
Western Dubuque Community School District