AOS 98 Schools
COVID-19 Guidance and Protocols
2022-23 School Year
Symptomatic at Home:
• People who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home. Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
Symptomatic at School
• CDC recommends masking at all times in healthcare settings, including school nurses’ offices, regardless of the current COVID-19 Community Level.
• People who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home. Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
• If unable to test for COVID-19 at school, test as soon as possible and isolate until results received.
• Work with the individual/family to determine when they can leave isolation and return to work/school.
Isolation Guidelines for a Positive Test Result
When a person tests positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate at home, regardless of vaccination status.
• Individuals who test positive should go home and isolate.
• More information about isolation can be found on the Maine CDC website. • Maine CDC does not recommend requiring a negative test to return to school (for staff or students who test positive and have completed 5 days of isolation). The positive individual cannot leave isolation until they meet the criteria for ending isolation found on the US CDC website.
• Returning to school after 5 days of isolation, wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days. After the 5-day isolation, with 2 sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, masks may be removed before day 10.
Management of Cases and Exposures
• Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19 except in certain high risk congregate settings. Schools are not considered high risk congregate settings.
• Individuals should follow US CDC recommendations on what to do if exposed to COVID-19.
Please contact your child’s school nurse or my office if you have any questions.