The following FAQs give an overview of the updated Health & Safety COVID-19 policies that were approved by the Board of Trustees 1/24/22. Adhering to these protocols will hopefully allow for continued in-person learning in as healthy an environment as possible.
We hope to have the full updated policy posted on our website next week, though these FAQs give a very thorough overview of how we are currently making decisions within the policy. Our office staff are available to answer questions and clarify where needed.
How do we determine who can and cannot be on campus under the Health & Safety COVID-19 policy?
-
No individual may come to school if they are symptomatic. (Overview of DOH COVID-19 symptoms are at the end of this document)
- All symptomatic school personnel or students should get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible
- Any individual on campus who is symptomatic or becomes symptomatic while at school, will need to leave the campus.
What if there is a symptomatic person within my household?
- We encourage and prefer testing of the symptomatic individual as soon as possible to determine if there has been an exposure.
- Per our school policy, asymptomatic individuals can be at school, though we would prefer that everyone in the household stay home until there is a confirmation of a negative test.
- All household members should closely monitor for COVID19 symptoms.
Who does not need to quarantine after a confirmed exposure?
- Adults and children who are FULLY vaccinated, including boosters, if eligible
-
Proof of vaccination is required (email proof to info@whws.org)
-
Anyone with a confirmed COVID case in the last 90 days (email confirmation to info@whws.org)
- Testing with PCR at 3-5 days after exposure encouraged
-
Fully vaccinated staff and students are not required to participate in a modified quarantine but they are:
- required to wear well-fitting masks* during class quarantine period
- to monitor closely for symptoms for 10 days following exposure
Who needs to quarantine after a school exposure?
-
Any unvaccinated or partially vaccinated person needs to quarantine, though may opt for Test to Stay protocol with a modified quarantine. (see below)
Who is eligible for Test to Stay within a Modified Quarantine Protocol?
- Any student or staff who is unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or has not received their recommended booster
-
Those in modified quarantine and choosing to Test to Stay, may continue to attend class if they:
- test twice within 5 days of exposure AND
- continue to be asymptomatic AND
-
wear a well-fitting masks* AND
- abstain from ALL extracurricular outside of school AND
- continue to monitor closely for symptoms for 10 days following exposure
- If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 at any time during modified quarantine, they must isolate at home
- Anyone not adhering to the above protocols are not eligible for modified quarantine and must stay home for 10 days after determined to be a close contact.
When can someone return to school after a positive test?
- They may return to school on day 6 in a modified quarantine (see above) IF:
- symptom free AND
- no fever within 24 hrs (without meds) AND
-
must wear a well-fitting masks* AND
- continue to monitor symptoms through day 10
- Any individual returning to school following this portion of the modified quarantine period must eat in a well ventilated area at least 6’ apart from other students.
What to do if there is a positive COVID case within my household?
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated staff or students:
- at-home quarantine coincides with length of isolation of household member
- modified quarantine begins first day after isolation is complete
- must have a negative antigen or PCR test AND
-
must wear a well-fitting masks* AND
- continue to monitor symptoms through day 10
- Adults and children who are FULLY vaccinated, including boosters if eligible OR anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 90 days do not have to quarantine
- testing twice between day 5 and 10 is encouraged if fully vaccinated, though not required
Washington Department of Health
COVID-19 Symptom Overview
Individuals should isolate at home with one or more of the following symptoms:
- Congestion or runny nose
- GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
If you have more than one of these symptoms OR the symptom does not resolve within 24 hours, you should isolate at home and get tested for COVID-19
Individuals should isolate at home and get tested for COVID-19 with any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4℉ or higher, or chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Cough (new, changed, or worsening)
