Covid-19 Update for Monroe County Schools December 14, 2020
 
Three Monroe County schools reported new Covid-19 cases since Friday.  The new cases included a staff member and three students at T.G. Scott Elementary School, two students at K. B. Sutton Elementary School, and a student at Mary Persons High School.

Administrators spent time over the weekend and on Monday performing contract tracing protocols to determine any personnel or students who may have been directly exposed to the positive cases.  In those cases where a direct exposure was determined to have occurred, the staff members or parents of the students were being notified of the need to quarantine at home.

The school system continues to follow the guidelines of the Department of Public Health (DPH) which classifies close contact as being within six feet of the person with Covid-19 for 15 minutes or more.  When this is determined, parents of affected students are asked to quarantine their children at home for a specified period of time. Appropriate information from public health is  provided to the parents as guidance.

New guidance relating to the length of quarantine periods has been handed down by the Centers for Disease Control and the North Central Health District of the Georgia DPH. Monroe County administrators are utilizing the new guidance in making appropriate adjustments for all new cases moving forward.

As Monroe County continues to be in the "substantial spread" category as designated by the DPH, the school system reminds all staff, students, and parents of the following actions to combat the spread of Covid and all other illnesses:
  • Wear masks when at school, on the school bus, or in public areas.
  • Maximize distancing in all public settings. 
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or approved hand sanitizer.

New CDC/DPH Quarantine Guidelines 

As of December 4, 2020, per CDC and DPH guidelines, the options for quarantine period have changed. The three quarantine options for students that have had direct exposure include the options below. 

Parents, if your child was placed in quarantine prior to the implementation date of December 4, 2020, you may contact your child's school and choose another option that works best for your individual situation. 

Remember that before the updated guidelines were published, option 3 was the only option for quarantine.
 
  1. Option 1- Quarantine at home for 7 consecutive days. If asymptomatic on or after the 5th day, the student may take a PCR test (not the rapid test). If the PCR test is negative, parents/guardians must provide the test result to the school. After approval is received from the school, the student may return to school and activities on the 8th day. 
  2. Option 2- Quarantine at home for 10 consecutive days. If asymptomatic, the student may return to school and activities on the 11th day. 
  3. Option 3- Quarantine at home for 14 consecutive days. If asymptomatic, the student may return to school and activities on the 15th day. 
The school system continues to follow the guidelines of the Department of Public Health (DPH) which classifies close contact as being within six feet of the person with Covid-19 for 15 minutes or more.  When this is determined, parents of affected students are asked to quarantine their children at home for a specified period of time. Appropriate information from public health is provided to the parents as guidance.

If you have questions regarding these guidelines, please contact your school administrators.  For more information on testing and Covid-19, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health Covid-19 Hotline at 1-844-987-0099.
25 Brooklyn Avenue, P.O. Box 1308  | Forsyth, GA 31029 | Phone 478.994.2031  | Fax 478.994.3364 | www.monroe.k12.ga.us
Monroe County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs and dealings with the public. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations. As a result, the following people have been appointed to oversee specific areas. Title II, Adult 504, Adult Title IX  Dr. Mike Hickman 25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029 478-994-2031 Student and Athletic Title IX Jackson Daniel 25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029 Student 504 Jenny Rooks 25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029 Copyright 2020. 
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