Please select a scenario or link based on your personal situation at Questar III BOCES:

Per the latest guidance in the joint letter released 8-22-22 from the State Education Department and the NYS Department of Health and the NYSDOH FAQ for schools based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Questar III will recommend the following for students and staff:

What do I do if I have COVID symptoms?

  1. The CDC continues to recommend that people stay home when sick. Any student or staff member who has symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home.
  2. Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. Those who are at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19 who test positive should consult with a healthcare provider right away for possible treatment, even if their symptoms are mild.
  3. Symptomatic individuals, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, should:
      • Stay home when sick until symptoms improve. If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medications.
      • Use a home testing kit each day while symptoms remain.
      • If the test result of the home antigen test is negative, it is recommended that you wear a mask and be tested at school or work upon arrival with either a rapid antigen or molecular test to confirm.

See additional guidance here: Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC

What do I do if I’m COVID Positive?

  1. If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result (at home or a lab test) regardless of your vaccination status, stay home and isolate for at least 5 complete days and follow the NYSDOH ISOLATION guidance.
    • Staff: Report the positive to your supervisor and the COVID Coordinator.
    • Students: Notify building principal, school nurse and/or teacher.
  1. If you test positive for COVID-19 and do not have a regular health care provider, you can be evaluated for treatment by either calling 1-888-TREAT-NY or visiting the New York State COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access

Returning to School/Work after Isolation

  1. If asymptomatic or you had mild symptoms that are improving on Day 5, you will be eligible to end isolation.
    • Complete ISOLATION affirmation upon completion of the 5-day isolation.
      1. For Staff: provide it to your supervisor and the COVID Coordinator.
      2. For students: submit the document to building nurse
    • After leaving your isolation, you should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days (days 6-10) or use the test-based strategy to determine when you can return to school/work without a mask.
      1. Those who are not able to wear a well-fitting mask should either isolate for a full 10 days or follow the test-based strategy to determine when they can return to school/work.
      2. If using the test-based strategy, you must test negative on two consecutive antigen tests, 48 hours apart before attending work/school without a mask. For example, if you test negative on day 5, you will test again on day 7, and if both tests are negative you may return to school. If you continue to test positive, wear a well-fitting mask or stay home until you have two negative tests, 48 hours apart.
      3. Individuals who are recommended to wear masks in school should also wear masks on school transport.
      4. Whenever persons are expected to wear masks, masks may be removed when eating, drinking, singing, going outside, or playing a wind instrument.
  • If you had no symptoms when you tested positive for COVID-19 and then develop symptoms later (within 10 days of the positive test) the clock restarts with day 0 being the day of symptom onset.
  • If you had moderate (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19, or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through at least day 10. Consult your healthcare provider about your return to work/school.
    • Complete ISOLATION affirmation upon completion of the 10-day isolation.
      1. For Staff: provide it to your supervisor and the COVID Coordinator.
      2. For students: submit the document to building nurse
    • Include any documentation from your healthcare provider as needed for longer isolation periods.

See additional guidance here: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC

What do I do if I am identified as having an exposure to a confirmed positive case?

Broad communications of positive cases in the classrooms will be shared similar to cases of other infectious diseases such as Strep Throat. Individuals in the classroom will be notified of the potential exposure by the school.  

Masking and testing are strongly recommended per the latest CDC guidance. Home test kits will be provided by Questar as needed.

Any identified individual that has been exposed or potentially exposed to a COVID positive case, whether at a Questar location or at home, is asked to monitor for symptoms and follow the listed exposure protocols below:

  1. You may continue to attend school or work.
    • It is recommended that you wear a mask for 10 days following a known exposure. (The day of exposure is day 0, the next day following the exposure is day 1) Whenever persons are expected to wear masks, masks may be removed when eating, drinking, singing, going outside, or playing a wind instrument.
  2. Complete recommended testing using the Home Antigen tests.
  • If you have no symptoms, test on day 6.
  • If symptoms (such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea) develop at any time during the 10-day period, test as soon as possible. Notify the school nurse or your supervisor. Local health departments will allow an individual to continue to attend or work in school as long as the individual is well enough to do so, continues to test negative, and is fever free. Mask usage is recommended.
  • If at any time you receive a positive test result, stay home, notify your supervisor/school nurse, and isolate for at least 5 complete days and follow the NYSDOH ISOLATION.  See I am COVID positive

See additional guidance here: What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC

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 If you have any additional questions, contact Craig Hansen, Director of Health & Safety or COVID Coordinator Lisa Lyons.

 

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