I'm writing with updates on several COVID-19-related items that have arisen since my last message.

While schools should follow the current COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California for the remainder of this week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released a preview of changes that will take effect on March 12.

The state has also released updates to the group tracing guidance.

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) team is meeting with the County of San Diego tomorrow to determine what adjustments are necessary to the COVID-19 Decision Trees. We will share additional information as it is available.

As you know, after Friday, March 11, the statewide universal indoor masking requirement in K-12 schools will transition to a strong recommendation. In anticipation of that transition, the California Department of Public Health has posted a memo on local considerations for maintaining or establishing universal indoor masking requirements.

SDCOE has updated frequently asked questions on face covering requirements for K-12 school settings. Feel free to share the link with your employees and school community, in order to clarify state requirements.

SDCOE has received a shipment of COVID-19 antigen test kits for use by public and private school students and staff during the spring break period. The kits may be picked up from the SDCOE warehouse in Linda Vista between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inquiries can be directed to ppe@sdcoe.net.

Following the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the County of San Diego is reallocating its COVID-19 resources to focus on high-risk settings (senior care facilities, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and homeless shelters) where infections can spread very quickly. As a result, individual case investigation by the county of school-age children will not be prioritized unless identified as part of an outbreak or certain situations/conditions arise requiring special focus on specific cases or settings. The county will continue to monitor COVID-19 test results, outbreak notifications, and other data submitted by K-12 schools, and will maintain all other support for K-12 schools, including the county school team and liaisons, at the current level and continue to be available to assist schools as needed.

Thank you for all that you do. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Paul

Dr. Paul Gothold

San Diego County Superintendent of Schools

email: paul.gothold@sdcoe.net