- Dothan City Schools
- Isolation & Quarantine Protocol
Isolation & Quarantine Protocol
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UPDATED AUGUST 4, 2022
Dothan City Schools has taken measures to prepare for COVID-19. DCS will respond promptly upon suspicion of illness associated with coronavirus in efforts to identify, treat, and prevent the spread of the virus.
Definitions:
Coronavirus: a virus that causes mild to severe respiratory illness. COVID-19- (short for coronavirus disease 2019) is a virus caused by a new strain of coronavirus.
COVID-19 Symptoms:
Major symptoms are as follows: new onset of a cough (not related to an underlying condition), shortness of breath, or a new loss of taste and/or smell.
Minor symptoms are as follows: fever or chills, muscle/body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, sneezing.
Procedure Explanation and Compliance Guidelines:
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DCS has designated a Healthcare Liaison who will serve as the COVID-19 Coordinator. The Healthcare Liaison will assess system risk associated with COVID-19.
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The Healthcare Liaison will identify COVID-19 risk for county based on ADPH risk identifier.
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LOW RISK (GREEN) - Visitors allowed on DCS campuses; visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask.
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MEDIUM RISK (YELLOW) - Visitors allowed on DCS campuses; visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask.
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HIGH RISK (RED) - Visitors allowed on DCS campuses; visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask.
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Each school will be responsible for ensuring appropriate signs are in place to display the risk category.
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All students and staff will be encouraged to wear a mask on DCS campuses.
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Suspected cases are defined as an individual who develops one or more of the major COVID-19 symptoms, or two or more of the minor symptoms, as identified above, with or without known contact with a confirmed case. These individuals will follow up with an HCP or may perform a home COVID-19 test to identify if they are positive.
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The school nurse will assess students/staff for possible COVID-19.
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Any student/staff with the following symptoms will report to the school nurse for evaluation: Minor symptoms- fever, headache, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, congestion or runny nose; Major symptoms- shortness of breath, new onset of cough, new loss of taste and/or smell.
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The school nurse will evaluate the risk of COVID-19 and report known cases to the Healthcare Liaison and other appropriate staff.
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School nurses will initiate COVID-19 School Procedure guidelines.
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Isolation/Quarantine guidelines for students are as follows:
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Positive cases with symptoms will be isolated for 5 days from the onset of the first symptom and return to school on day 6, as long as symptoms are improving and the student has been fever-free for 24 hours.
- Positive cases without symptoms or unknown symptom onset will be isolated for 5 days from the positive test date and return to school on day 6.
- Suspected cases without a confirmed diagnosis will quarantine for 5 days after the onset of the first symptom and return to school on day 6, as long as symptoms are improving and the student has been fever-free for 24 hours.
- If an individual has a loss of taste/smell but tests negative, that individual will be isolated for 5 days and return on day 6, as long as symptoms are improving and the student has been fever-free for 24 hours.
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Isolation/Quarantine guidelines for staff are as follows:
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Positive cases with symptoms will be isolated for 5 days from the onset of the first symptom and return to work on day 6, as long as symptoms are improving and staff has been fever-free for 24 hours.
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If a student or staff has tested positive in the last 90 days, the individual does not have to follow quarantine guidelines unless the individual becomes symptomatic.
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If an individual has not been in close contact, but is experiencing symptoms, the MD will determine if the individual has COVID-19 and needs to be isolated or has an alternate diagnosis and can return to school/work with a note.
This procedure is subject to change at any time based on individual circumstances and risk level.
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