September 21, 2021
Dear WEM Family,
Due to incoming questions about potential quarantines and changes in recommendations of COVID-19 guidance, there is a need to communicate and reshare information that was distributed previously. Please review the following information in the event your student(s) health status changes throughout the year.
First and foremost, the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home when symptoms present and persist.
If your student presents symptoms of COVID-19 it is highly recommended that testing is administered. When symptoms are presented your student should stay home and consult a medical provider.
All individuals who are not fully vaccinated are highly encouraged to wear a mask during school hours and at school activities.
Non-Household Close Contact
Close contact exposure does not necessarily require students or staff to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status, unless there is a positive case in the home. Parents are asked to monitor the health status of their student(s). Any student who is exhibiting symptoms should be tested, however. If at any time your student is presenting symptoms related to COVID-19 please stay home, monitor and seek testing should symptoms persist.
Fully Vaccinated Close Contact
If your student has been fully vaccinated and not presenting symptoms they are welcome to attend classes and school events as usual. However, if they do have symptoms they need to be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Non-Fully Vaccinated Close Contact
If your student has not been fully vaccinated and is symptom free they are welcome to attend classes and school events as usual. However, per the CDC and MDH it is highly recommended that non-fully vaccinated persons wear a mask.
Positive COVID Case in the Home
In the event you have a positive case of COVID-19 in the home please follow the recommendations below:
When you live with someone who has COVID-19, you should quarantine during the time they might be contagious (their isolation period), as well as the time you could develop COVID-19. This may mean you need to quarantine for 24 days or more.
Your 14-day quarantine period starts the day after the person you live with completes their isolation period.
This is usually:
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10 days from the day their symptoms started.
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If they didn't have symptoms, 10 days from the day they got tested.
If multiple people in your home have COVID-19, your 14-day quarantine period starts after the last person has completed their isolation.
Developing Symptoms
If symptoms develop, stay home and consult with your physician to determine if medical evaluation is needed. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, MDH recommends:
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Stay at home for at least 10 days, and for 24 hours with no fever and improvement of other symptoms (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine).
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If your household contacts were exposed to you while you had symptoms, it is recommended they stay home for 14 days.
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If you are experiencing symptoms you should be tested.
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Share your test results with the school nurse.
Resources
If you should have further questions please feel free to email Amber Karels.
Sincerely,
Amber Karels, RN, PHN, LSN
WEM School Nurse
