There have been many recent protocol updates and changes coming from the New York State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, Governor Hochul’s Office, and the Delaware County Department of Health relative to COVID-19 procedures. I am writing to communicate the newly adopted “CDC and NYSDOH Quarantine and Isolation Guidance,” shared with me via email correspondence with the Delaware County DOH on Monday, January 10 and Thursday, January 13.
The Hancock Central School District will immediately employ the following procedures, which will apply to students, faculty, and staff:
Who does NOT have to Quarantine After Close Contact with Someone With COVID-19
- Anyone ages 12 or older and who has received all CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters if eligible and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
- Anyone ages 5-11 years old who has completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Anyone who has had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (tested positive using a viral test, e.g. antigen or PCR).
What To Do if Not Subject to Quarantine:
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0).
- Get tested at least 5 days after the date of last close contact with someone with COVID-19. If test is positive or COVID-19 symptoms develop. Isolate from other people and follow recommendations in the isolation section of this guidance document.
- Anyone who had COVID-19 within the last 90 days and has since recovered and remained symptom free, does not need to get tested after close contact with someone with COVID-19.
Who HAS to Quarantine After Close Contact With Someone With COVID-19?
- Anyone ages 12 or older who has completed the primary series of recommended vaccine and is eligible for a CDC Recommended booster shot but has not received it.
° However, these individuals may attend or work at school, where multi-layer mitigation strategies are in place, See School (K-12) section document for further guidance. - Anyone who has not completed a primary vaccine series.
- Anyone who is not vaccinated.
Quarantine Exception for Schools (K-12)
Exposed fully vaccinated students, teachers, and staff who must quarantine because they did not receive a CDC recommended booster when eligible can attend or work at school during the quarantine period where masking, distancing, etc. is monitored and enforced. However, these individuals must continue to quarantine as otherwise required outside of academic instruction periods in school. Extra-curricular, after-school, or community activities are not permitted during quarantine. Individuals attending or working at a school with a test-to-stay program should participate in that program. If the school does not have a test-to-stay program, then it is strongly encouraged that these individuals test at days 2-3 (or the first school day after the exposure is identified) and day 5.
This guidance also applies to pre-K classes when located in schools with older grades, but it does not apply to other early childhood care settings.
Booster Eligibility Guidelines:
If you received the Pfizer series, you are eligible for a booster five (5) months after your second shot. If you received the Moderna series, you are eligible for a booster six (6) months after your second shot. If you received the one-dose J&J, you are eligible for a booster two (2) months after your shot.
- If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you are eligible for a booster, but have not yet received it:
- Quarantine at home for five (5) days.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five (5) days after quarantine.
- Test on Day Five, if possible.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible and stay home.
As an additional reminder, the Delaware County Department of Health and the Hancock Central School District will host a vaccination clinic at the HCSD Bus Garage from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. January 21-22 and February 11-12. No appointments are necessary. More information is available on the HCSD website at
https://www.hancock.stier.org/.
Please contact your child’s school nurse or building administrator if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Terrance P. Dougherty, Ph.D.
Superintendent, Hancock CSD
(607) 637-1301
Posted 1/14/2022