January 10, 2022
Dear Catskill CSD Families:
As of today Monday, January 10, 2022, at 12:00pm, Catskill Central School District has adopted new isolation and quarantine protocols in partnership with our county health department. This change aligns updated guidance from the New York State Health Department on January 4, which also aligns with updated recommendations from the CDC. These changes supersede previous guidance and protocols listed in our school opening plan published in September 2021.
Moving forward, this means any new cases will follow the updated guidance below. As of today all currently quarantined or isolated students and staff can shift their quarantine or isolation protocol if 24 hours fever free and symptoms are resolved.
ISOLATION
Isolate for 5 days, where day “0” is the day of symptom onset or (if asymptomatic) the day of collection of the first positive specimen.
- If asymptomatic at the end of 5 days, or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
- Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
- Individuals who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after a 5-day isolation should also follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
QUARANTINE
If exposed to COVID-19, quarantine as follows, where day “0” is the last date of exposure:
-
- If not fully vaccinated; or fully vaccinated and eligible for a booster but not yet boosted: Quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
- If fully vaccinated and boosted (with the booster at least 2 weeks before the first date of exposure); or not yet eligible for a booster: NO quarantine is required but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
- If possible, test at day 5 with either a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT, e.g., PCR) or antigen test.
- If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. In this situation, quarantine would end when the test is negative. If testing is not done, isolate according to the isolation guidance.
CONTACT TRACING ON THE BUS
The Greene County Department of Public Health has revised contact tracing on school buses to include only students or staff sitting in the same seat as the individual who tests positive, as long as other protocols such as wearing masks at all times are adhered to. All others on the bus will not be required to quarantine.
Children ages 12 to 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer booster shots. Please visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ for more information or to find a vaccine and booster site near you. You may also visit the county health department website for any location options available.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the changing guidance impacting our schools. As always, we communicate any changes after they have been discussed with and approved by our local department of health. Thank you for your cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Ronel Cook
Superintendent of Schools