COVID-19 Fairfield County School Guidance - Updated August 25,2021
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Fairfield County
COVID-19
School Guidance
Updated August 25,2021
1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
Fairfield County COVID-19
School Guidance
Updated August 25,2021
Contents
Definitions ………………………………………………………………………….…….…. 2
Assessing Ill Students and Staff …………………………………………………………. 3
Testing ………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Isolation ………..…………………………………………………………….……………… 4
Classroom/Bus Quarantine Guidelines …………………………………….……………. 5
Classroom Quarantine Infographic ………………………………………….…………… 6
Recess/Cafeteria Quarantine Guidelines ………………………………….……………. 7
Athletic/Sports Quarantine Guideline ……………………………………….…………… 7
Quarantine Timelines ……………………………………………………….………………8
Contact Tracing and Reporting ………………………………………….……………….. 9
Classroom Contact Tracing ……………………………………………………………….. 9
School Bus Contact Tracing …………………………………………………………….. 11
Communication Procedure ……………………………………………………………… 12
Facial Coverings ………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Useful Resources ………………………………………………………………………… 14
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
Definitions
Class A Reportable Disease: Diseases of major public health concern because of the severity of
disease or potential for epidemic spread – immediately report all information needed to identify
those who are positive and those who were potentially exposed to this illness to prevent further
spread. Those identified as positive or exposed should be sent home to await further guidance from
FDH. Meningitis, COVID-19, Rubella, and Measles are examples of Class A Reportable Diseases.
IDCM Section 3: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Contact Tracing: Contact tracing involves identifying people who are likely to get sick because of
being in contact with those who have tested positive. The more specific the information that is
provided to the health department, the fewer students will need to quarantine. If a broad set of
information is provided, an entire class list for example, then a larger number of students will need
to be removed from the school setting and placed into quarantine.
Contact tracing is required for Class A Reportable diseases such as COVID-19 as outlined in
ODH Director’s Order Requiring Reporting and Notification Regarding COVID-19 Cases in K-12
Close Contact: The definition of a close contact is someone who was unmasked within 6 feet of a
person diagnosed with COVID-19 or was masked and/or vaccinated and within 3 feet of a person
diagnosed with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period in a classroom
setting. The definition of a close contact applies whether the positive COVID-19 person was masked
or unmasked.
Quarantine: when you might have been exposed to the virus. Quarantine separates and restricts
the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the
disease but do not show symptoms.
Isolation: when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Ohio Revised Code/Title 37
Section 3707.16 | Attendance at gatherings by quarantined person prohibited.
Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No person isolated or quarantined for a communicable disease declared by the board of health of a
city or general health district or the department of health to require isolation or quarantine shall
attend any public, private, or parochial school or college, Sunday school, church, or any other public
gathering, until released from isolation or quarantine by the board. All school principals, Sunday
school superintendents, or other persons in charge of such schools or other gatherings shall
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
Assessing Ill Students and Staff
We recommend sending a symptomatic individual home and that the parent follow up with the
child’s doctor for a possible alternative diagnosis or COVID-19 test order. Educate teachers, staff,
and families about when they and their children should stay home and when they can return to
school. Please highlight the importance of keeping children out of the classroom if they are showing
symptoms of COVID-19 and encourage to get them tested.
*Nationwide Children’s Hospital Child In-Person Participation Algorithm
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JjbPLpYwKdTzA8PG6Do6l6CIuh9YtLc9/view
An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 2 days before the person had any symptoms or if the
person had no symptoms, 2 days before when specimen was collected for a COVID-19 test.
Testing
COVID-19 home testing kits are NOT adequate tests to modify quarantine guidelines.*
Acceptable PCR and antigen testing can only be completed through a qualified healthcare provider.
A positive home test is evidence enough to consider the child/teacher/staff as a positive case.
Symptomatic individuals with negative home tests should be isolated until confirmatory PCR testing
can be performed and results returned.
*Please see Quarantine Guidelines on page 4
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
Isolation
A case is an individual who has tested positive with a viral (PCR or antigen) diagnostic test,
regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.
Self-isolation includes the following:
• Self-isolate for at least 10 days after symptoms first appeared AND
• At least 24 hours have passed since last fever (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
AND
• Symptoms have improved
Cases who never developed symptoms may discontinue self-isolation 10 days after the collection
date of clinical specimen.
Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected.
People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home,
anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” or area, and use
a separate bathroom (if available).
What to do
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing),
seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
Wear a mask when around other people if able.
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
K-12 Exposure in a School Quarantine Guidelines
On August 5, 2021, ODH updated specific guidance for K-12 school quarantine. FDH has fully adopted this
guidance for Fairfield County schools.
Ohio Department of Health School Guidance:
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/schools/K-12-Schools-Guidance.pdf
Classroom/Bussing Exposure
Per ODH, quarantine is not necessary for students and adults possibly exposed to COVID-19 in
K-12 school settings, regardless of vaccination status, if ALL the following prevention measures
have been in place:
• Masking for ALL students and staff (regardless of vaccination status).
• Physical distancing is maximized (at least 3 feet between desks/occupants).
• Documented COVID-19 prevention policies (e.g., identification of individuals experiencing symptoms,
strategies to increase ventilation, protocols for cleaning, etc.).
If not all prevention measures listed above were in place, quarantine is not necessary for fully
vaccinated* students and adults but THEY MUST adhere to the following precautions:
• Wear a mask indoors, as much as possible, either for 14 days or until a viral (PCR or antigen) test
performed three to five days after exposure has come back as negative.
• Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following exposure; unless symptoms develop, individuals can
continue attending in-person class and participating in sports and extra-curricular activities.
*Note: A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine
(Moderna or Pfizer vaccine) or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
If not all prevention measures listed above were in place, quarantine is not necessary for students
and adults who are not fully vaccinated if the person who was exposed was wearing a face mask
AND maintained 3 feet of social distance. However, THEY MUST take the following precautions:
• Wear a mask indoors, as much as possible, either for 14 days or until a viral (PCR or antigen) test
performed at least five days after exposure has come back as negative. While this negative result
would allow them to discontinue masking in school after day seven, we encourage them to continue
masking.
• Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following exposure; unless symptoms develop, individuals can
continue attending in-person class and participating in sports and extra-curricular activities.
Quarantine should be required if the student or teacher is not fully vaccinated, and layers of
prevention were not in place as described above.
If quarantine is necessary because layers of prevention were not in place as described above, it should last
for at least seven days since the last exposure, and the contact should have a negative viral (PCR or anti-
gen) test collected on or after day five. Individuals should watch for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 for
14 days. During quarantine, contacts should be advised to stay home and away from others as much as pos-
sible. If they become symptomatic at any point, they should receive clinical evaluation or testing for COVID-
19.
The CDC continues to require that masks be worn on all public transportation, including school
buses. This requirement is regardless of vaccination status. All transportation services should follow
applicable federal rules and regulations. Learn more at the CDC’s Guidance for COVID-19
Prevention in K-12 Schools page.
Close Contact: The definition of a close contact is someone who was unmasked within 6 feet of a person
diagnosed with COVID-19 or was masked and/or vaccinated and within 3 feet of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 for a total of
15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period in a classroom setting. The definition of a close contact applies whether the positive
COVID-19 person was masked or unmasked. Pg 5
1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
Pg 6 1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
Recess/Cafeteria
During meal consumption or during outside play a distance of at least 6 feet between students must
be maintained. If individuals are not separated by 6 feet at lunch/at recess, self-quarantine (not
allowed to continue attending school) will need to occur since masks cannot be worn while eating
and are often not worn during outdoor play. If it is unable to be determined if individuals were
properly wearing masks, then error on the side of caution and quarantine (not allowing to return to
school).
Athletic/Sports
In addition to anyone being within 6 feet unmasked for 15 minutes or longer, any individual
engaging in a contact sport with a case for any amount of time would be considered a close contact.
The risk of spread increases the more an athlete interacts with other athletes, the closer the
physical interaction of the athletic participants, the longer the interaction, and the more sharing
of equipment there is by multiple athletes, among other considerations. The risk increases when
the athlete participates in a team-based practice. Competition between different teams creates more
risk, with full competition between teams from different geographic areas creating the highest risk
for athletes, their families and their immediate communities.
When an athlete or coach is identified as a being a case of COVID-19, it is the
school’s responsibility to notify contacts potentially exposed, including notifying another school/
district if exposure to that school district may have occurred. This notification needs to happen in a
timely manner, such as 24-48 hours, so that appropriate contact tracing can occur.
Coaches should follow the same protocols as athletes. If exposed in a school setting and
are eligible for modified quarantine, they may continue to coach. If exposed outside of the
school setting, they should refrain from coaching until their self-quarantine period is completed.
Athlete or Coach Diagnosed with COVID-19? Here is a useful tool from Franklin County Health
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ElrQQdAD6bjpSxUBCQ_u5EW3y2Vxi1W6/view
Ohio Revised Code/Title 37
Section 3707.16 | Attendance at gatherings by quarantined person prohibited.
Effective:October 1, 1953Latest Legislation:House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
No person isolated or quarantined for a communicable disease declared by the board of health of a city or
general health district or the department of health to require isolation or quarantine shall attend any public,
private, or parochial school or college, Sunday school, church, or any other public gathering, until released
from isolation or quarantine by the board. All school principals, Sunday school superintendents, or other
persons in charge of such schools or other gatherings shall exclude any such person until he presents a
written permit of the board to attend.
Close Contact: The definition of a close contact is someone who was unmasked within 6 feet of a person
diagnosed with COVID-19 or was masked and/or vaccinated and within 3 feet of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 for
a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period in a classroom setting. The definition of a close contact applies
whether the positive COVID-19 person was masked or unmasked.
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •
COVID-19 Quarantine Timelines
If you have been notified that you were a close contact to someone diagnosed with
COVID-19, you should quarantine (stay home, not leave the house for any reason
other than to seek medical care) for 10 days, unless a negative COVID-19 test is
obtained within the correct timeframe.
Scenario 1: First date able
Fully Vaccinated close contact with someone who has to test for 7
COVID-19. This could be an exposure to a friend, neighbor or …… day quarantine
coworker, or it could be an exposure to a household contact
that is able to completely isolate (stay in a separate bedroom
and have no further contact with anyone else in the
home) from household members. Close contact should
quarantine for 10 days from the last time they were
around the case. You may consider ending quarantine
after day 7 by obtaining a negative COVID-19 test on day
3 or later.
Scenario 2:
Close contact with someone who has COVID-19. This
could be an exposure to a friend, neighbor or coworker, or it
could be an exposure to a household contact that is able to
completely isolate (stay in a separate bedroom and have no
further contact with anyone else in the home) from household
members. Close contact should quarantine for 10 days
from the last time they were around the case. You may
consider ending quarantine after day 7 by obtaining a First date able
negative COVID-19 test on day 5 or later. to test for 7
day quarantine
Scenario 3:
Close contact with a household member diagnosed with
COVID-19 and unable to avoid continual close contact.
This could be due to the household member not having their
own bedroom or the case needing to provide/receive care
from someone else (either too young or needing medi-
cal care). Contacts may choose to reduce their quarantine
to 7 days after the person with COVID-19 ends their isola-
tion period with a negative COVID-19 test at least 5 days
after the person with COVID-19 ends their isolation peri-
od.
Scenario 4:
Close contact is under quarantine and then
has an additional exposure to someone
diagnosed with COVID-19. This may happen
when an additional household member becomes
ill. Close contacts should restart their quarantine based
on their last exposure to the most recent case.
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •Contact Tracing and Reporting
Per School order dated 9/3/2020:Beginning Tuesday, September 8, parents or guardians and
school staff should notify their school within 24 hours of receiving a positive test or a clinical
diagnosis. Within 24 hours after receiving that notification, the school should notify other parents
and guardians about that case in writing, providing as much information as possible without
releasing protected health information. The school must also notify their local health department
within 24 hours. This order also requires a COVID Coordinator be named at each school.
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/publicorders/DO-K-12-Reporting.pdf.
Fairfield County Contact Tracing Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FDHcontacttracing
Close Contact: The definition of a close contact is someone who was unmasked within 6 feet of a person
diagnosed with COVID-19 or was masked and/or vaccinated and within 3 feet of a person diagnosed with
COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period in a classroom setting. The definition of a
close contact applies whether the positive COVID-19 person was masked or unmasked.
A positive COVID-19 individual, regardless of vaccination or mask, can still spread the
disease. Those that are considered a close contact will still need to quarantine if precautions
are not followed.
Classroom Tracing
Masked Vaccinated Positive COVID-19 Close Contact
Quarantine is
NOT necessary
Only the positive case
would need to isolate.
All other continue wearing
masks and self monitor for
symptoms for 14 days.
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •Classroom Tracing Continued
Masked Vaccinated Positive COVID-19 Close Contact
Quarantine
necessary for ALL
unmasked students
Masked students quarantine is
not necessary, but masks
should be worn for 14 days or
7 days with a negative PCR or
antigen test collected 3 to 5
days after exposure.
Masked students should also
self monitor for symptoms for
14 days.
Positive case needs to isolate.
Masked Vaccinated Positive COVID-19 Close Contact
Quarantine
necessary for ALL
unvaccinated
students
Vaccinated students
quarantine is not necessary,
but masks should be worn for
14 days or 7 days with a
negative PCR or antigen test
collected 3 to 5 days after
exposure.
Vaccinated students should
also self monitor for symptoms
for 14 days.
Positive case needs to isolate.
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •School Bus Tracing
Masked Vaccinated Positive COVID-19 Close Contact
Entire Bus Masked
Quarantine is Necessary only for
Highlighted Close Contacts
Unless 3 feet spacing between students is achieved
CDC Order: Wearing a Face Mask on Public Transportation
CDC’s Order applies to all public transportation conveyances including
school buses. Regardless of the mask policy at school, passengers and
drivers must wear a mask on school buses, including on buses operated by
public and private school systems, subject to the exclusions and exemptions
in CDC’s Order.
Schools should provide masks to those students who need them (including
on buses). No disciplinary action should be taken against a student who does
not have a mask as described in the U.S. Department of Education.
CDC Face Covering Guidance:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preventgetting- sick/about-face-coverings.html
6 feet
Unmasked Bus
Quarantine is Necessary for all
Highlighted Close Contacts
Unless 6 feet spacing between students is achieved
Close Contact: The definition of a close contact is someone who was unmasked within 6 feet of a person diagnosed with
COVID-19 or was masked and/or vaccinated and within 3 feet of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or
more over a 24 hour period in a classroom setting. The definition of a close contact applies whether the positive COVID-19
person was masked or unmasked.
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •Pg 12
Facial Coverings
As of August 25, 2021, Fairfield Department of Health recommends universal masking in K-12
schools and supports full in-person learning. To facilitate and maximize keeping our students safe in
the classroom, while also minimizing the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, FDH strongly
recommends schools follow CDC guidance and adopt universal masking policies for all students,
teachers, and staff regardless of vaccine status.
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1550 Sheridan Dr, Suite 100 • Lancaster, Ohio 43130 • (T) 740.652.2800 • (F) 740.653.8556 • www.myfdh.org •Useful Resources
Fairfield County Contact Tracing Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FDHcontacttracing
Ohio Department of Health School Guidance:
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/schools/K-12-Schools-Guidance.pdf
CDC School Guidance:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html
ODH Guidelines for Quarantine After Exposure in K-12 Classroom Settings (Updated August 9,
2021)
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/covid-19-fact-sheet-k-12-exposure-andquarantine.pdf
ODH Flow Chart
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/covid-19-fact-sheet-k-12-exposure-andquarantine-
flow-chart.pdf
ODH Director’s Order Requiring Reporting and Notification Regarding COVID-19 Cases in K-12:
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/publicorders/DO-K-12-Reporting.pdf
ODH Recommended Options for Quarantine Following Possible COVID-19 Exposure:
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/docs/covid-19-guidance-quarantine.pdf
CDC: When to Quarantine:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
CDC Face Covering Guidance:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preventgetting- sick/about-face-coverings.html
ODH Face Covering Guidance:
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/schools/K-12-SchoolsGuidance.pdf
CDC Face Mask on Public Transportation Order:
https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/masks/mask-travel-guidance.html
Ohio Revised Code Section 3701.23 | Reporting contagious or infectious diseases, illnesses, health
conditions, or unusual infectious agents or biological toxins.
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3701.23
IDCM Section 3: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/49c54aa2-6d58-45e1-9434-72ca8b4ea635/section-3-
covid19.pdf?
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