COVID-19 screening and diagnostic testing is no longer required to be offered or provided by the school. However, schools may provide or connect individuals to diagnostic testing when students or staff:
o Exhibit symptoms of COVID-19; and/or
o When they were exposed to someone with COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccination is not mandated in NY for school attendance by students or staff.
o Unvaccinated school staff no longer need weekly mandated COVID-19 testing.
o Contact tracing is no longer recommended.
o Universal masking is not required.
Quarantine is no longer recommended for people exposed to COVID-19. In schools, people who were exposed to COVID-19 should follow recommendations to wear a well-fitting mask and get tested.
Students and staff with symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea should be sent home or directed to stay home.
o If at school, the individual should wear a well-fitted mask while arrangements are made to go home even if they have not yet had a test.
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days at home. For those with symptoms Day 1 is the first full day after symptom onset (Day 0 is the day of symptom onset). For those that had no symptoms, Day 0 is the day they were tested (not the day you received your positive test result) and Day 1 is the first full day following the day they were tested—if someone develops symptoms within the 10 days of testing the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
Those with symptoms may resume attending school after the 5 days if:
1. They are fever free without fever reducing medicine for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving.
2. They wear a mask through day 10 (day 1 is the first full day following the day they received positive test result regardless of symptom onset). They can shorten mask usage after a positive test if they test negative TWICE 48 hours apart.
Please report test results to the school nurse.
After having ended isolation, if COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart isolation at day 0. (Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset). Staff and student’s parents/guardians should be advised to talk to a healthcare provider about their symptoms or when to end isolation.
Please contact the DeSales Health Office at 716-434-4680 with any questions and to report COVID-19 test results, negative and positive. Negative tests need to be known so your child is not continually sent home if experiencing symptoms. A positive test needs to be known in order to discuss when your child can return to school.
Thank you for your continued cooperation as we navigate through this 22-23 school year!
Renee Nye, RN
Link to NYSDOH COVID 19 FAQs