When a COVID-19 case is reported, the coordinator of Health Services, school nurse or principal reaches out to the parent/guardian of the positive student or to the positive staff member to confirm the details of the case, such as, what was the date the test was performed, was it a rapid and or PCR and was the individual symptomatic.  We also ask about contacts and explain the need for the positive case to isolate and other family members to quarantine.

- An individual who tests positive for Covid-19 must isolate for 10 days.  This is the period of time in which they are considered “contagious” if they have a mild to moderate case.  They must “isolate” or stay away from others during this time.  If possible they should stay in a separate room from other household members and use a separate bathroom. They should not share items like cups, towels or utensils and wear a mask if they must be around others. 

- An individual who has been considered in close contact with or exposed to a positive case of Covid-19 must quarantine for 10 days from the exposure.  These individuals must also stay away from others as much as possible and watch for symptoms of Covid. It is recommended but not required that close contacts get tested for Covid-19 four to five days after exposure.  However, if symptoms develop they should test.  Although quarantine ends after 10 days the individual should self monitor for symptoms up to 14 days.  

-The district conducts internal school contact tracing. This identifies individuals who were in close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual during school, on the bus or while participating in CCSD sports or other activities and consequently may be required to quarantine.

Students are considered exposed if they were less than 3' from a positive individual for 15 minutes or more unless they are vaccinated.  

Staff are considered exposed if they were less than 6' from a positive individual for 15 minutes or more unless they are vaccinated.

Additionally, students and staff are considered exposed if they were less than 6' from a positive individual for 15 minutes or more when eating or any time they are not wearing  a mask unless they are vaccinated. 

• The Coordinator of Health Services, School Nurse, Principal or other school administrator will speak directly with the parent/guardian of any student or to the staff member identified as being in close contact to a positively identified case of COVID-19. If the identified person is in school they will have to return home to complete the quarantine.  (There is an exception for vaccinated persons, see below)
  
  
• If a positive result is reported and the positive student or staff member is in the school building, he or she will need to go home immediately and complete the isolation period.
  
  
• All identified cases are reported to the Rockland County Department of Health, who will work with NY State to do contact tracing to identify exposures to those outside of the school setting. The NYS Governor's Office COVID dashboard, and the district website Covid Summary will be updated daily to reflect  new cases. 
  
  
• The building principal or guidance counselor will initiate the process to provide access to education for all students who are isolated or quarantined. 
  
  
• The Facilities Department will arrange for a deep cleaning of any room in which an identified case of COVID was reported.
  
  
• In the unusual circumstance a teacher must quarantine or isolate, a substitute will cover the class and in-person learning will continue. The principal will send notification if this is required.

Fully vaccinated individuals who are exposed can be in school as long as they are feeling well and do not have any symptoms of Covid-19.  They must wear their masks at all times for 14 days. They must not eat with others.  They should test on day 4-5 after exposure.  If they develop any, even minor, symptom of Covid-19 they must stay home and test.

Exposures or “close contacts” of a positive case of Covid-19 must quarantine for a full 10 days. Day one is the day after the last date they were with the positive individual.  A negative test does not shorten quarantine as symptoms can develop up to 14 days.  Those who return after 10 days must self-monitor for symptoms of Covid-19 for an additional 4 days.