COVID Isolation & Quarantine Update 1/6/22

"COVID-19 Isolation/Quarantine Update"

Please note that these are not the most recent protocols being observed by Hillsdale Local Schools. This page is being retained for archival purposes.

Please find the most current protocols on this page: covid-19-protocols-2022-2023-sy

JEROMESVILLE (1/6/22)--The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced changes on December 27, 2021, to its guidance related to isolation for individuals testing positive for COVID and quarantining for individuals identified as close contacts. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html Both the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ashland County Health Department have adopted these guidelines. 

After reviewing the latest COVID-19 guidance from the CDC and the ODH, beginning immediately, Hillsdale Schools is implementing the following changes consistent with that guidance:

Tested Positive for COVID-19

  • Stay home for the next five days after a positive confirmation, regardless of symptoms or vaccination status, and follow isolation procedures.
  • On day six, if you have been fever-free and symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medications, you may return to school if you wear a mask for the next five days.

A Close Contact Up-to-Date on Vaccines

  • If you are fully vaccinated with an up-to-date booster, if applicable, continue attending school in person, but you MUST wear a mask for 10 days after your last exposure.
    • Observe social distancing during meals, eating at the indicated area.
  • If you choose not to wear a mask, you will need to remain in isolation (no in-person attendance) through and including day 10.
  • Self-monitor or parent-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Isolate and get tested if any symptoms appear.

A Close Contact NOT Up-to-Date on Vaccines

  • If you are not fully vaccinated or your booster status is not up-to-date (see the guideline below), stay home for five days after your last exposure. Then you may return to school in person but MUST wear a mask around others for days six through ten.
    • UPDATE (5/16/22)--If you are not fully vaccinated or your booster status is not up-to-date, if applicable, you may now continue attending school in person, but you MUST wear a mask for 10 days after your last exposure.
      • During days six through ten, observe social distancing during meals, eating at the indicated area.
  • If you choose not to wear a mask, you will need to remain in isolation (no in-person attendance) through and including day 10.
  • Self-monitor or parent-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Isolate and get tested if any symptoms appear.
  •  Regardless of vaccination status, the best practice is for all close contacts to test on day five, provided that tests are available.

The Quarantine Exemption for vaccinated individuals has changed:

  • If you are six months out from your last vaccine in a two-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna) or two months out from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but you have NOT had a booster, you now MUST quarantine for five days and wear a mask on days six through ten.
  • If you have received the booster, you do not need to quarantine, but you MUST wear a mask for the 10 days after your last exposure. 

 

ExtraCurricular  Guidelines

If a student is an up-to-date fully-vaccinated close contact and is involved in extracurricular activities, he/she can continue to participate by following the guidelines listed below:

  1. Wear a mask at all times during the extracurricular while not actively participating for 10 days from your last exposure.

  2. Self-monitor or parent-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

  3. Isolate and get tested if any symptoms appear.

If you are an unvaccinated close-contact student or one who has not received a booster within the six or two-month protocol, you MUST quarantine for five days and wear a mask on days six through ten while not actively participating in the extracurricular.

 

Additional Information

  • COVID-19 test must be PCR or Antigen with verification from the provider.

  • All students and staff on school transportation will still be required to wear a mask.

    • ​UPDATE (2/28/22)--Students and staff on school transportation currently are not required to wear masks.

  • Masks continue to be highly recommended for all students/staff within the school setting and at extracurricular activities.

  • As always, information and guidance related to COVID-19 are fluid. We may adjust our protocols as new information is shared by ODH and the Ashland County Health Department.