Update from the Mequon-Thiensville School District | December 7, 2020
MTSD COVID-19 Quarantine Procedures & Responsible Return Operating Plan Version 8
Last week, an important update was shared regarding options of a reduced quarantine period for individuals who are identified as a close contact to a person infected with COVID-19. Since that time, MTSD has been provided with additional guidance regarding the procedures for returning from quarantine early. Rather than having the ability to end an assigned 10-day self-quarantine after 7 days with a negative test result administered no earlier than day 5, the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD) recommends the following:

The timing of test collection must be no earlier than 48 hours before the anticipated end of quarantine, meaning specimen collection for a minimum 7-day quarantine could occur on day 6 or 7, with a return on day 8.

Based on this most recent guidance from the WOPHD, the MTSD Responsible Return Operating Plan has been updated once again to reflect the timeline for obtaining a negative test result six days after exposure, rather than the previously communicated five days. The updates are also included below for your convenience. 
Updated MTSD Quarantine Guidelines (Close Contact)

An individual who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 will be assigned a 10-day quarantine and will be required to monitor for symptoms for a 14-day period following exposure. As long as an individual does not experience any COVID-19 symptoms, they can end their 10-day quarantine after 7 days with a negative test result. To return to school or work after a 7-day quarantine, a student or employee must get tested no earlier than 6 days after exposure (or no earlier than 48 hours before the anticipated end of quarantine), and be experiencing no symptoms. In alignment with the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD), acceptable negative tests to return from quarantine early are: 

  • Diagnostic Test
  • PCR Test
  • NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test)
  • Viral Test 

Negative test results should be emailed directly to one of the following contacts prior to the student’s return to school:

  • Rachel Lemanczyk, Executive Director of Student Services - rlemanczyk@mtsd.k12.wi.us
  • Jessica Jost, RN, District Nurse - jjost@mtsd.k12.wi.us

Parents/guardians of students who are currently quarantined as close contacts with a return date on or after Monday, December 7, 2020, can expect to be notified via email soon from a member of our health services team with an adjusted return date. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility as we continue to adjust to the ever-evolving nature of this ongoing pandemic.