Updated Guidance on COVID-19
Posted on 08/26/2022
2022-23-school-year-covid-19-faqs-for-schools_8-22-22.pdf

Dear OCSD Community,

I hope you had a wonderful summer. As we welcome students and staff back to school, I wanted to share the latest information from the NYS Department of Health and the NYS Education Department regarding COVID-19. Please see the attached list of Frequently Asked Questions from the NYS Department of Health.

To summarize:

  • Students and staff exposed to COVID-19 will not have to quarantine. People who were exposed to COVID-19 should follow CDC recommendations to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after the exposure and get tested.
  •  “Test to stay” will end — students will no longer be required to receive a COVID test if exposed to an infected person.
  • Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days at home. Those with symptoms may resume attending school after 5 days if they are fever-free without fever reducing medicine for 24 hours, their symptoms are improving and they wear a mask through day 10. CDC guidance indicates that people can use the test-based strategy outlined in its isolation guidance to potentially shorten the duration of post-isolation mask use. Please read the FAQ on these points.
  • Universal masking is not required at this time. Local health departments have authority to implement masking requirements.
  • Schools will no longer be required to offer or conduct screening testing.
  • Schools are not required to test unvaccinated staff.
  • Schools are not required to report daily test results to the DOH.
  • Schools will not be required to conduct contact tracing.

 

This news is welcome and certainly a step towards a return to normalcy. We will update staff and parents with any changes. Should you have any questions, please reach out to your building principal or school nurse.

 

Sincerely,

Matthew Carpenter