Isolation/Quarantine Changes Summary Update

  • Posted January 12, 2022
Isolation/Quarantine Changes Summary Update

(NYS DOH Memo; January 10, 2022; NYSDOH COVID quarantine and isolation in the schools setting)

Over the past few weeks there have been a number of changes to the guidance and direction for quarantine and isolation protocols.  Understandably the changes are difficult to follow with each memo release and subsequent media reports.  To reduce or prevent any confusion regarding these protocols, I want to provide this very brief summary of the interpretation of the major components in the guidance as it stands for school personnel and students at this time.

Definitions: 

Isolation: Results from testing POSITIVE for COVID-19.

Quarantine: Results from close contact with an individual that is POSITIVE for COVID-19

Test to Stay (TTS): Following a testing cadence for up to 5 days following exposure, one may continue to attend school/work; as a result of the Department of Health's discontinuation of the contact tracing for exposure outside the school setting, TTS will be limited to exposure in the school setting.  

 Day 0: This is the date from which the clock begins for quarantine and isolation orders

Fully Vaccinated: Per NYS DOH, Two weeks after the receipt of either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the J&J vaccine

THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES APPLY FOR ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF:

VACCINATION
STATUS

ISOLATION Protocol
(testing positive for Covid-19)

QUARANTINE Protocol
(Close Contact Exposure)
Fully Vaccinated
  • Isolate for 5 Days
    (Day 0 is the day of symptom onset or if one is asymptomatic, it is the day of collection of the first positive specimen (when you took the test)
  • Isolation ends at the end of Day 5
  • Continue to attend school/work
Not vaccinated/Not fully vaccinated
  • Isolate for 5 Days
    (Day 0 is the day of symptom onset or if one is asymptomatic, it is the day of collection of the first positive specimen (when you took the test)
  • Isolation ends at the end of Day 5
  • Test to Stay (Continue  reporting to work/school following the testing cadence over a 5-day period from Day 0) OR
     
  • Quarantine for five (5) days

* Further restrictions may apply to extracurricular and after school activities for Days 0 - 5