Published on Thu., February 3, 2022

VDH Isolation and Quarantine FAQs for K-12 Schools

Updated: January 26, 2022

On January 26, 2022, the Virginia Department of Health updated its COVID-19 guidance for schools. The updated guidance can be found here: VDH FAQs for Revised Interim Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 in Virginia K12 Schools.

Per the guidance, “Schools are no longer expected to conduct contact tracing on every individual case of COVID-19.” Contact tracing will remain one of the mitigation strategies that is used for prevention against a COVID-19 outbreak and sustained transmission within our schools.  

Effective February 5, 2022, LCS will no longer conduct contact tracing on every individual case of COVID-19. Families will continue to receive notice of a positive COVID-19 case within our schools as the school community is made aware of them. If a staff member or student suspects that they have been exposed to COVID-19, we encourage you to get tested and notify us if your test is positive.

We ask that you continue to be supportive and cooperative of school staff, teachers, and administrators as they navigate in-person learning during the pandemic. Thus, acknowledging that there may be temporary periods of remote learning due to a school outbreak or community surge in COVID-19. Such pivots shall be as short as possible, and students will be directed to remote learning and provided additional resources as needed to meet their instructional programming/goals. 

LCS recommends that anyone eligible and able, including staff, students, and family members, get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, as directed by CDC guidelines. This additional layer of prevention will assist LCS in maintaining in-person learning and is the single best strategy to protect our students, staff, and community.

As a reminder:

  • Stay home when sick and consult your medical doctor or health care provider. 
  • Stay home when sick with new COVID-19 symptoms, and isolate.
  • Get tested if possible, following CDC guidelines. 
  • Wear well-fitting masks, especially during times of high community prevalence.
  • Participate in the ViSSTA Screening Program (enrollment directions below):
    Reminder COVID-19 Screening & Testing - Information
New Isolation/Quarantine Infographic

When is it Safe to be Around Others: Isolation and When to End Isolation - 2/3/22

Updated Virginia Department of Health COVID Protocols

Positive Case
Positive COVID-19 Test
  • Tested positive
Isolation for the first five days, followed by five days of strict mask wearing.
 
Continue isolation if:
  • Symptoms persist or fever present
May discontinue isolation after five days if:
  • Symptoms are resolved or resolving
Reporting/Notification:
  • Notification letter sent to school/department/facilities families and/or staff
Symptomatic with COVID-19 Like Symptoms
  • If you are having 2 or more symptoms, take a COVID-19 test or see your medical provider
Isolation for the first five days, followed by five days of strict mask wearing.
 
Continue isolation if:
  • Symptoms persist or fever present
May discontinue isolation after five days if:
  • Your symptoms are resolved or resolving
Reporting/Notification:
  • LCS will only notify if there is a positive COVID-19 test
  • Notification letter sent to school/department/facilities families and/or staff
Asymptomatic and Positive Test
Isolation for the first five days, followed by five days of strict mask wearing.
 
No isolation if:
  • Have tested positive within the last 90 days and do not have any symptoms
Reporting/Notification:
  • Notification letter sent to school/department/facilities families and/or staff
Asymptomatic
  • The division will only be able to give guidance if the individual reports a positive COVID-19 test or is symptomatic with 2 or more symptoms
----
COVID-19 Outbreak
  • 3 or more positive cases within a 14-day period where in-school transmission is suspected (i.e. linked in person, place and/or time without another more likely source of exposure)
Reporting/Notification:
  • Schools will report such outbreaks to VDH along with any school having 30% of a group population (e.g. grade, staff, entire school).

https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=4HKCANDJFC

Positive Case
Athletics/ Extracurricular Activities
Positive COVID-19 Test Athlete/Extracurricular Activity Participant
  • Tested positive
Positive athletes and students who participate in extracurricular activities may Return to Play on day 5 if symptoms are resolving.
 
All positive students returning on day 6 will wear a well-fitted mask for days 6-10.
 
If strict use of a well-fitting mask is not possible, participating in sports shall be delayed until after day 10 of isolation or quarantine.
 
Continue isolation if:
  • Symptoms persist or fever present
May discontinue isolation after five days if:
  • Symptoms are resolved or resolving
Reporting/Notification:
  • LCS will only notify if there is a positive COVID-19 test
  • Notification letter sent to school/department/facilities families and/or staff
*Any student athlete who has tested positive for COVID-19; who is symptomatic; or who has been in direct contact with COVID-19 will no longer be required to complete the Return to Play form. This form is highly recommended, but is not a requirement.
 
*Any student who is up to date on vaccinations with no symptoms and has been in direct contact with an individual(s) who has tested positive, will not be required to wear a mask during athletic or extracurricular activity, as deemed appropriate.
Close Contact Special Situations for Quarantine: Household Close Contact Quarantine according to Household Quarantine Guidelines
 
Continue quarantine if:
  • Symptoms develop; get tested if possible
May discontinue isolation after five days if:
  • Symptoms are resolving
Fully vaccinated, but greater than 5 months from last shot (greater than 2 months for Johnson & Johnson)
 
Or
 
Unvaccinated
Up To Date Vaccinations Strict mask wearing for 10 days.
Definitions
  • Up To Date Vaccinations: 2 shots of Moderna or Pfizer, 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson. Less than 5 months from last shot (less than 2 months for Johnson & Johnson). With booster doses(s) when eligible
    *COVID-19 vaccination and boosters as recommended by the CDC and VDHAs. Vaccination has proven to lessen transmission as well as severity of disease including death.
  • Isolation: positive people should stay home and stay away from people, even in their own home.
  • Quarantine: close contact should stay home. If possible, they should stay away from people in their own home, especially people at higher risk.
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