MOUNT VERNON — Knox Public Health updated its modified quarantine procedures Tuesday, after initial modifications approximately a week earlier, to reflect the latest guidance from the state.
On Oct. 15, KPH announced Knox County schools could allow students identified as close contacts to remain in the classroom as long as they wear masks and are asymptomatic. But, those students had not been able to participate in extracurricular activities — sports, band, social clubs.
That is no longer the case.
The Ohio Department of Health’s updated kindergarten through grade 12 quarantine guidance released Monday allows students to participate in extracurriculars during their quarantine periods, if they wear masks and get tested for COVID-19.
KPH updated its procedure Tuesday to align with the state’s change.
Test to Play
More specifically, the “Test to Play” procedures that will now be followed by Knox County schools, according to a document released Tuesday by KPH, allow asymptomatic close contacts to participate in extracurriculars if they meet the four following criteria:
Students identified as close contacts must wear a mask when able. According to KPH, this includes when students are on transportation, in locker rooms, sitting or standing on the sidelines and anytime a mask will not interfere with breathing, the activity or create a safety hazard.
Close contacts must also get tested for COVID-19 when they are initially notified of their exposure to the virus.
They must then get tested again on days 5 to 7. If they test negative for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, they can end their quarantine period on day eight.
Classroom
The modified quarantine procedures for classroom participation have not changed since KPH’s update on Oct. 15.
COVID-19 testing is not required for students to attend classes during their quarantine period. Rather, students can attend classes as long as they wear masks and remain asymptomatic during their quarantine period.
If a student starts developing symptoms at any point during their quarantine period, they must start isolating. The time they must be out of the classroom depends on subsequent testing.
If symptoms present and the student tests positive (PCR or antigen test), the student must stay home and isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of symptoms. If the symptomatic student tests negative, the student should remain home until symptoms improve and the student is fever free without medication for a minimum of 24 hours.
If a symptomatic student does not get tested for the virus, the student must stay home and isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of symptoms and until the student’s symptoms improve/they remain fever free for at least 24 hours without medicine.
Families can still choose to quarantine their children after exposure if a district opts into the modified procedure. Parents of students identified as close contacts in a school setting will be informed of the known exposure.
No exemptions, religious or otherwise, can be made to get out of wearing a mask during a quarantine period.
If students are unable to wear a mask for any reason during their quarantine period, they will not be allowed to attend school and will be required to stay home for the duration of their quarantine.
