By Ammie Ruddle
Charles Hedrick, superintendent, told the Pendleton County Board of Education members that updated COVID protocols are “very similar” to what was already in place.
The Pendleton County School’s COVID protocols are as follows:
- Students and staff, who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home for at least five days and isolate from others.
- Students are not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities while in isolation and potentially infectious.
- Day zero is the first day of symptoms or day tested if asymptomatic.
- Students and staff may return to school if they have stayed home and isolated for at least five full days, have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications), or if they have symptoms that are improving.
- Individuals who were severely ill or immunocompromised should stay home and isolate for 10 days.
- Students and staff should take precautions when returning to school after completing their five-day isolation. This includes wearing a well-fitted mask from days six to 10 inside the school. If a mask is unable to be worn, they should continue to isolate and remain at home for 10 days or have two negative antigen tests on day five or later, at least 48 hours apart.
- Schools may consider allowing students to participate in unmasked extracurricular activities during days six-10 if they obtain two negative antigen tests on day five or later, at least 48 hours apart.
The COVID protocols can be found on the school’s website under Menu, click on COVID Updates/Student Health and access Student Care Corner.
The protocols are recommended by the state, according to Hedrick.
The Pendleton County BOE encourages staff, students and parents to follow the guidelines to reduce the number of outbreaks within the schools.