The Hall County School District has updated its COVID-19 protocols to allow for shorter isolation periods for those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The changes were made to reflect a recent isolation guideline update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to a press release from the school district, internal data from the district supports the adjustment to the protocols by the CDC.
Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms may end isolation as long as they fall under three specific conditions. The release states five days must have passed since symptoms first appeared, 24 hours must have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine and symptoms must have improved to end isolation. On top of this, those who have COVID-19 symptoms must wear a well-fitted mask from day six through day 10 upon return to school from isolation.
Isolation guidelines at Hall County Schools have also changed for those who test positive for COVID-19 without symptoms. Those without symptoms must isolate for five days but can end isolation if they remain asymptomatic for those five days and if they wear a well-fitted mask for the remaining five days upon returning to school. If an asymptomatic individual develops symptoms, they are asked to follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, as listed above.
Quarantine guidelines have not changed at the school district. Those identified as direct contacts can still quarantine at home for 10 days, or return to school if they wear a mask for 10 days, remain asymptomatic and agree to temperature checks
The district said they are doing everything possible to continue with in-person learning, however, this may require a shift to virtual learning in certain classes, grade levels or individual schools.
More information about the school district's isolation guidelines can be found here.
