TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE GARFIELD COMMUNITY
FROM: ANNA SCIACCA, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
UPDATE OF COVID -19 PROROCOLS IN THE GARFIELD DISTRICT
The New Jersey Department of Health released new guidance in a document dated August 29, 2022, which recommends ending the Test-to-Stay protocol in schools and placing individuals who have been exposed to Covid-19 in quarantine.
The district will no longer require students and staff who have been exposed to Covid-19 to remain in quarantine and will not conduct contact tracing in our schools. Individuals who have been exposed to Covid-19 may remain in school and wear a mask for ten days as long as symptoms do not develop.
The district will not implement the Test-to- Stay protocols as previously indicated to our school community.
Any individual who has tested positive for Covid-19 or who is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 should remain home for five days and can return to school on day six if symptoms have resolved. Mask must be worn through day ten.
The district is still required to report positive cases of Covid-19 to the NJDOE.
The NJDOH Recommendations are as follows:
“Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Therefore, NJDOH will discontinue its recommendation for a Test to Stay Program. However, asymptomatic students and staff who were exposed to COVID-19 should continue to test and wear a mask for 10 days. Based on available resources, schools/ECE should provide testing or information on where to obtain equitable and convenient testing after an exposure.”
“COVID-19 exclusion (isolation) criteria for individuals who have COVID-19 compatible symptoms or who test positive for COVID-19: 10 Individuals regardless of vaccination status who test positive, and individuals with COVID-19 symptoms who have not been tested and do not have an alternative diagnosis from their healthcare provider should:
• Stay home for at least 5 full days after the onset of symptoms or if asymptomatic after the positive test (day of symptoms is day 0; if asymptomatic, day the test was performed is day zero)
- If they have no symptoms or symptoms are resolving after 5 days and are fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours, they can return to school.
- Wear a mask when around others at home and in public for an additional 5 days (including participation in any extracurricular activities). Time without mask being worn should be kept to a minimum.”