Changes for Return to School Guidance for Symptomatic Students/Staff
Superintendent's Blog
by Jay Harnack, Superintendent, Sublette County School District #1
September 26, 2020
On Friday, 9/25/20, both Sublette County School Districts met with Sublette County Public Health to review the new return to work guidance for students/staff. Previously, students/staff who were symptomatic and sent home could return to school when symptoms were resolved, including fever-free for 72 hours without medication.
The new guidance states that students/staff who are symptomatic and have been sent home may return to school when symptoms were resolved, including fever-free without medication after at least 5 days, or a negative test result for COVID-19. This means that any students/staff sent home for COVID-19 symptoms will not be able to return to school sooner than 5 days unless they can demonstrate a negative COVID-19 test result. We have updated our COVID-19 Exclusion Flowchart to reflect this change.
We know that as a result of this new guidance, many families may want to get a COVID-19 test for themselves or their students. Just a quick reminder that COVID-19 tests are free of charge for all school-age children at both clinics. Strep and influenza tests will also be free of charge.Also, if your doctor provides you with a letter identifying an alternate diagnosis (Strep, ear infection, etc.) you may return to school when your student is fever-free for 24 hours. Please provide that letter to our school nurse when prior to returning if that is the case.
Please be aware that the Sublette County Rural Health Care District website states, "Due to a change in FDA regulations regarding COVID testing, we are now only able to utilize one of our rapid tests for symptomatic patients, and as of Monday, September 28th, will be sending all tests to the state for follow up confirmation. Please be sure to quarantine until you receive your state results which should be received within 48-72 hours. " As a result, any student or staff that is symptomatic and sent home from school can expect to remain there for a minimum of 48-72 hours unless they receive an alternate diagnosis from a doctor.
This new guidance will be in effect starting on 9/28/20.
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