January 12, 2022
Re: Changes to Isolation/Quarantine
Update on Current COVID-19 Cases
Dear Inter-Lakes Families,
Thank you for your patience as we have reviewed what guidance is available to us regarding isolation and quarantine related to COVID-19. The anticipated New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Toolkit has not yet been provided, however, direct contact with the NH DHHS has suggested that we should move forward with the guidelines for the General Public and make local decisions on implementation. Please see below for these new Inter-Lakes School District expectations.
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Inter-Lakes School District Isolation & Quarantine Requirements – January 12, 2022
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The information below is based on the New Hampshire Department of Health’s Isolation & Quarantine Recommendations for the General Public. Only parts of the document are highlighted below as they pertain to a school setting; the full document can be found HERE.
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Persons who should isolate:
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School will require:
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Any person who test positive for COVID-19 or who has symptoms of COVID-19 while awaiting testing – regardless of vaccination status, previous infection, or lack of symptoms.
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- Stay home and away from others (including people in your household) for at least 5 days.
- Isolation can end after day 5 if you are fever-free (off fever-reducing medications) for at least 24 hours and other symptoms are improving. If an individual returns to school/work and presents visibly ill, the School District will require negative antigen testing for continued attendance.
- If fever has been present in the prior 24 hours, or if other symptoms are not improving, then you should continue to isolate until fever free and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, or until after 10 days of isolation.
- For 10 days:
- Wear a well-fitting medical face mask when around other people. This will include when outdoors on campus.
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Persons who should quarantine after being exposed to someone with COVID-19:
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School will require:
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Household contacts who are either:
- Unvaccinated; OR
- Not “up to date” on receiving all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses.
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- Stay home and away from others for 5 days after the last exposure.
- Watch for symptoms for COVID-19 for 10 days after the last exposure, and get tested if symptoms develop.
- Recommend (not require) get tested at least 5 days after the exposure, even if no symptoms develop. If positive, move to isolation.
- For 10 days:
- Wear a well-fitting medical face mask when around other people.
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School Nurses will be making contact with families currently isolating and quarantining to discuss a return date. Please note that the wearing of a well-fitting mask is the responsibility of the family and the student. At this time, universal mask wearing is expected indoors with outdoors as optional. Parents/Guardians will need to discuss in advance with their children, if they meet one of the criteria outlined above, the expectation of wearing a mask outdoors. The School District does not have the manpower to remind or check that this expectation is being met; it will requirei Individual responsibility and follow through. With this said, we recognize that developmentally younger children may struggle with this, a Parent/Guardian may write a note to their child's teacher asking for assistance in reminding their child to use a mask as they head to recess. No need to give a reason; if you want the reminder for a limited time, please indicate so. Please be aware that we are not able to supervise that the mask will be properly worn while at play during recess.
The School District is continuing to operate with lunches in our cafeterias. Should you have individual concerns for your child in such a setting, please reach out to your child’s Principal to see what alternatives may be arranged.
Update on Current COVID-19 Cases
Yesterday and this morning:
SCS – 2 New Cases: Middle-Multiage (1) & (1) No recent school attendance; ILES – 6 New Cases: Grade 1 (2), Grade 3 (1), Grade 4 – 2 & Grade 5 (1); ILMHS – 9 New Cases: Grade 8 (2), 9 (2), 10 (3), 12 (1) & MS (1).
All Schools Transportation - Bus 2 (last week), Bus 5, Bus 10 & Bus 14.
Fox, Blue Wave and Laker well wishes are extended to all and their families. All families are reminded to assess daily for possible symptoms of COVID-19, keep children home if they are unwell, and inform the School Nurse.
I recognize that the news of changing length of isolation/quarantine provides some with a great feeling of relief and others with a great deal of concern. As done over the many years now, we will work together to navigate this adjustment. The positive of this change, if people are well after
five days, returning to school and work sooner has many benefits. Thank you for your ongoing partnership. Be well, Inter-Lakes!
Respectfully,
Mary A. Moriarty
Superintendent of Schools
MAM/mgm