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.

Fully Vaccinated:

• Pfizer- within 6 months of the first two initial shots or if outside that time, a booster received.

• Moderna- within 6 months of the first two initial shots or if, outside that time, a booster is received.

• Johnson & Johnson- within 2 months of receiving the first initial shot or if, outside that time, a booster is received.

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:

1. 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.

2. The Healthcare Liaison will identify COVID-19 risk for county based on ADPH risk identifier.

   • LOW RISK (GREEN)- Visitors allowed on DCS campuses; visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask.

   • MEDIUM RISK (YELLOW)- Visitors allowed on DCS campuses; visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask.

   • HIGH RISK (ORANGE)- Visitors allowed on DCS campuses; visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask.

   • Each school will be responsible for ensuring appropriate signs are in place to display the risk category.

3. All students and staff will be encouraged to wear a mask on DCS campuses.

4. 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.

5. The school nurse will assess students/staff for possible COVID-19.

   • 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.

   • The school nurse will evaluate the risk of COVID-19 and report known cases to the Healthcare Liaison and other appropriate staff.

   • School nurses will initiate COVID-19 School Procedure guidelines.

6.  Isolation/Quarantine guidelines for students are as follows:

   • 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. Note that after returning on day 6, students will be required to wear a mask for 5 days to complete the 10-day isolation period.

   • 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. Note that after returning on day 6, students will be required to wear a mask for 5 days to complete the 10-day isolation period.

   • 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. Note that after returning on day 6, students will be required to wear a mask for 5 days to complete the 10-day quarantine period.

   • 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. Note that after returning on day 6, students will be required to wear a mask for 5 days to complete the 10-day isolation period.

7. Isolation/Quarantine guidelines for staff are as follows:

   • 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 have been fever-free for 24 hours. Note that after returning on day 6, staff will be required to wear a mask for 5 days to complete the 10-day isolation period.

   • Positive cases without symptoms or unknown symptom onset will be isolated for 5 days from the positive test date and return on day 6. Note that after returning on day 6, staff will be required to wear a mask for 5 days to complete the 10-day isolation period.

8. 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. 

9.  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.