Student Isolation & Quarantine Guidance (as of February 1, 2022)

Upon recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has issued revisions to local health departments regarding the isolation of individuals who test positive for COVID-19, as well as the quarantine periods for those who are exposed to an individual who has tested positive. Based on these CDC revisions, the Ulster County Department of Health (UCDOH) has updated school district guidance action steps associated with a positive test or designation as a close contact. Revised guidance continues to be issued, so it is possible that additional revisions will be necessary. 

POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST OR SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 

Regardless of vaccination status, an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 must be isolated for at least 5 full days from the onset of symptoms and/or from testing positive, whichever occurs first. The date symptoms developed or the individual tested positive is considered Day 0. 

All positive tests must be reported to the school nurse. To return to school, individuals must submit a completed copy of this NYSDOH Affirmation of Isolation to the school nurse. If you do not have access to a printer, a hard copy of this form can be mailed to your home or is available at your child’s school for pick-up at your request. 

CLOSE CONTACT IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

New York State is no longer coordinating contract tracing, and the UCDOH will no longer be collecting lists of close contacts. However, the school nurse will continue to contact trace and contact parents/guardians of all close contacts. Rapid tests will be available to those identified as close contacts. 

If symptoms develop, the individual should get tested immediately and isolate until receiving test results. If the individual tests positive, the District’s Positive COVID-19 Test Isolation Guidelines outlined above should be followed.

CLOSE CONTACT OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL SETTING

The school nurse should be contacted immediately. Exposure that occurs outside of the school setting is not eligible for the Test-to-Stay program. 

If symptoms develop, the individual should get tested immediately and isolate until receiving test results. If the individual tests positive, the District’s Positive COVID-19 Test Isolation Guidelines outlined above should be followed.

* Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the receipt of either two (2) doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one (1) dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

** Booster eligibility begins five (5) months after receiving both doses of Pfizer or Moderna or two months after receiving Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.