Calvert Hall Protocol for Exclusion from School and Return to School for Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and COVID-19 like Illness
A COVID-19 - like illness is defined as: Any 1 of the following: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, Or at least 2 of the following symptoms: fever of 100.4 or higher, chills or shaking chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose. This definition was adapted from clinical criteria in the CDC case definition of a probable case of COVID-19.
If a student is at home, and presents with a COVID-19-like illness as stated above, the student/parent will notify the School Nurse. The student will need to see a health care provider about being tested for COVID-19 or whether there is another specific diagnosis. If a student with COVID-19-like illness has a sibling at Calvert Hall, the sibling should not come to school even if symptom free.
• If the student tests positive for COVID-19, the student will remain home and may return after 10 days since the symptoms first appeared and when fever free for 24 hours without medication. The student may return to school with the approval of a health care provider.
• If the PCR COVID-19 test is negative, the COVID-19 like symptoms have improved, and the student is fever free for 24 hours without medication, he may return to school. The student may return to school with the approval of a health care provider.
Rapid COVID-19 Negative tests will not be accepted at this time.• If the health care provider documents another specific diagnosis (e.g. influenza, strep throat, ear infection) or the health care provider documents that symptoms are related to a pre-existing condition, the student may return to school when the symptoms have improved and the student is fever free for 24 hours without medication. The student may return to school with the approval of a health care provider.
• If the student does not receive a laboratory test or a specific alternative diagnosis from a health care provider, the student must remain home and may return after 10 days since symptoms first appeared and he is fever free for 24 hours without medication. The student may return to school with the approval of a health care provider.
If a student is in school, and presents with a COVID-19-like illness as stated above, the student will be assessed, isolated and will be sent home. The student will then follow the steps above. Please note that a student must be picked up within 30-45 minutes if a student is sent home for COVID-19-like symptoms. Please have emergency contacts as backups if you are unable to get to school to pick up your student within the 30-45 minute period. Students cannot be sent home in an Uber or Lyft.
Close ContactsThe Maryland State Health Department is notified of anyone who tests positive for COVID-19. The Health Department will then contact that individual and begin contact tracing. The Health Department will then notify anyone who has been in close contact with the individual with instructions. Close contact is defined as less than 6 feet apart for 15 minutes or longer. This will happen within 24-48 hours.
As an added precaution, the school will need to immediately be notified of anyone in the community who tests positive for COVID-19. The name of the person will not be released. However, we will immediately notify anyone who has had close contact with the person and tell them to quarantine for 14 days and/or until the Health Department contacts them with further instructions. If there is a sibling at school, the sibling will be considered a close contact and will be sent home.
In general, unless the Health Department indicates otherwise, the contact may return to school after 14 days or when the health department has determined:
• COVID-19-like illness student receives a negative COVID test.
• Close contact tests negative for COVID-19.
• Contact tracing determines the student was not a close contact.
• COVID-19-like illness student receives a negative PCR COVID test.
• If close contact has a sibling at school then the sibling must remain at home as well.
COVID-19-Positive family memberIf there is a family member or someone that resides in the same home that tests positive for COVID-19, the student will be told to stay home and distance learn for 14 days.
Any questions do not hesitate to
contact the Health Suite.