Substance Abuse Prevention, Education, and Intervention

COVID Info

GENERAL Info

HEALTH SERVICES

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COVID and the 2022-23 School Year

FCCPS Pandemic/Communicable Disease Response Matrix

Routine Pre-Pandemic Operations - Operations resume in ways consistent with little to no threat of any infectious disease. FCCPS supports handwashing and good germ hygiene and will remain vigilant in our practices supporting our schools' overall health and wellness. This includes support for health-compromised students and staff. 

Additional Information

Symptomatic Students/Staff

Any student/staff member who is displaying COVID-like symptoms will not be able to attend school/work until their symptoms are resolving (including being fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication) AND they provide a negative COVID test (must be lab-verified/proctored) or an alternate diagnosis or clearance from a medical professional. Adjustments will be made for students with known health conditions based on the guidance of our nursing staff. Coronavirus Self-Checker | CDC 

Rapid Testing

Our FCCPS rapid testing program will continue for any symptomatic student or staff member who needs immediate support. Please contact the School Health Aide for your school or go to the health clinic to get a rapid test. Anyone who needs support administering the test can get access to a device in the health clinic. Parents are required to administer the test for their students, as school staff is not permitted to administer tests.  FCCPS BinaxNow Tip Sheet.pdf 

Single/Multiple Cases

While there is no longer contact tracing of isolated/sporadic cases, the division monitors and provides health guidance to all positive cases. Letters are sent to classrooms/groups/activities impacted when a single positive case is determined.

When multiple (3 or more) cases are found in the same classroom/group/activity, a contact tracing investigation is initiated by FCCPS with the Fairfax County Health Department. If there is no epidemiological link between the cases, then the situation is determined not to be an outbreak. However, if a link is found between the cases, the FCHD will identify the situation as an outbreak, and the school will provide guidance regarding the next steps.

Positive Cases and Exposures

Positive Cases:

  • Notify the division by filling out Google Form and isolate. The FCCPS Health Team will provide guidance & follow-up

    • 5-days of Isolation, with Day 0 being the date of symptom onset or date of positive test result; 

    • Return clear of contagious symptoms on Day 6

    • Wear a mask or provide a negative rapid test to return for Days 6-10

    • Remain home for Days 6-10 if unable or do not wish to wear a mask and unable to provide a negative test

    • All positive cases can return after Day 10 regardless of status

  • Parents report students absent via the school attendance line and work with teachers to keep students current in classwork

  • Staff report positive cases to the supervisor and enter absences in Frontline with sick leave as soon as possible to help facilitate coverage

Exposures without symptoms:

  • Remain in school/at work regardless of vaccination status

  • Monitor health for symptoms 

  • No other requirements unless symptoms develop

Exposures with symptoms:

  • Remain home if feeling ill or have symptoms

    • Parents report students absent via the school attendance line and work with teachers to keep students current in classwork

    • Staff report positive cases to the supervisor and enter absences in Frontline with sick leave as soon as possible to help facilitate coverage

  • Testing is only needed if symptoms develop

    • negative test–remain home until symptoms are gone unless cleared by a healthcare provider to return

    • Positive test result–follow positive COVID result protocol

Quarantine and Isolation Guidance from the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html 

VHS Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention for Students, Teachers and Staff in Child Care, K-12 Schools, and Day Camp Settings

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/182/2022/07/COVID-19-Quarantine-Isolation-Guidance.pdf

PCR Testing

We will continue to offer free, weekly PCR testing to students and staff every Tuesday and Thursday to determine the level of virus in our school community. If you have been part of the testing program, just a reminder that you need to re-enroll with the state’s new vendor, Aegis, to continue with testing. If you would like to join, register here!  It only takes a minute and is essential to our infectious disease strategy.

COVID-19 Prevention

With the emergence of more contagious variants, such as Omicron, and the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases, it is important that everyone adheres to the following public health prevention measures as best as they can to limit the spread of the virus in our community.

  • Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you haven’t yet received any vaccination or are only partially vaccinated.

  • Get your booster dose if you’re 16 years or older and received your initial mRNA vaccines more than 6 months ago or a Johnson and Johnson vaccine more than 2 months ago.

  • Wear a mask in public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

  • Stay home when feeling ill.

  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

  • Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes.

Stay Informed About COVID-19

The Health Department also has more information for individuals about isolation and quarantine at Slow the Spread of COVID-19 | Health (fairfaxcounty.gov).  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you for all you are doing to support student and community health as we respond to this latest wave of infections.