COVID Protocols Update

 Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

This week the Department of Public Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education updated the isolation and quarantine guidance and protocols. Full details can be found here.

Isolation and quarantine guidance and protocols

Guidance for Children in Child Care, K-12, OST, and Recreational Camp Settings:

• Quarantine for asymptomatic exposed children, regardless of where the exposure occurred, is no longer required for these settings. Children who are identified as close contacts may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10. A test on Days 2 and 5 is recommended, but not required.
• Children who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day 5, provided:
  • If the child is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.
  • If the child is unable to mask, they must have a negative test on Day 5 or later in order to return to programming prior to day 11.
• Symptomatic children can remain in their school or program if they are tested immediately onsite, and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved.
  • If the symptomatic child cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent home and allowed to return to their program or school if they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms have resolved, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return if the latter two conditions are met. 

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-guidance-for-children-in-child-care-k-12-out-of-school-time-ost-and-recreational-campprogram-settings

While we have certainly seen an uptick in cases in the month of May our most recent data is reflective of a downward trend in positive cases. Please review the dashboard for more detailed information. 

Have a great weekend and Memorial Day.

Dr. Daly