January 12th, 2022 by WCBC Radio
Allegany County Public Schools will begin implementing new isolation and quarantine guidelines recommended by the CDC and Maryland Department of Health.
Individuals positive for COVID-19 may return to school after five full days of isolation and improved symptoms. Any person positive for COVID-19 who has completed five full days of isolation, and has improved symptoms by January 19th, may return to school on that date. Improved symptoms include no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours, and no active cough. Those returning after five days must wear a well-fitting mask that, during the next five days, can be removed only to eat. Those students participating in sports, band, or other activities where their mask must be removed will be unable to participate in those activities for an additional five days. Individuals who still have symptoms will continue to isolate until symptoms have improved.
Fully vaccinated individuals, or individuals positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, who are a close contact to a positive person, will not be required to quarantine as long as they do not have symptoms. Those age 18 and over who are eligible for a vaccination booster must have received that booster in order to be considered fully vaccinated.
Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated individuals who are a close contact to a positive person may return to school if they have completed five full days of quarantine since their last exposure to the positive person and have no symptoms. Any person quarantined due to being a close contact who has completed five full days of quarantine by January 19th may return to school on that date. Those returning after five days must wear a well-fitting mask that, during the next five days, can be removed only to eat. Those students participating in sports, band, or other activities where their mask must be removed will be unable to participate in those activities for an additional five days.
It is recommended that individuals who are a close contact to a positive person, and who have not had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, obtain a COVID-19 test five days after their last exposure to a positive person regardless of their vaccination status.
