Revised Protocols for Covid Positive Individuals and Close Contacts

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, the Hempfield School Board discussed the District’s Health and Safety Plan and effective Friday, January 14, 2022, the following COVID-related protocols will go into effect:

• Hempfield remains mask optional, except when students/staff are on a school bus. 
• If an individual is sick, exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or exhibiting symptoms related to other illnesses, the individual MUST stay home, and they are not permitted to attend school or school-related activities. 

COVID POSITIVE

• If an individual is COVID+ and has symptoms, they MUST isolate for at least 5 days from the onset of symptoms.  

• If an individual is COVID+ and asymptomatic, they MUST isolate for at least 5 days from the date the COVID-19 test was performed.  
• If an individual has COVID-19, they may return to school on or after day 6 of symptom onset, if:
• The individual is asymptomatic, or their symptoms are improving and
• The individual is fever-free for at least 24 hours and not taking fever-reducing medication.
• It is strongly recommended that the individual returning to school early from isolation continues to wear a mask through day 10.
• If the individual’s symptoms are not improving or new symptoms arise, the individual MUST continue to isolate.

CLOSE CONTACT

• If a vaccinated or unvaccinated individual is identified as a close contact to someone who is COVID+, they may stay in school and participate in all school related activities if:
• They remain asymptomatic, meaning they have no COVID-19 symptoms, they are not sick, or they do not have symptoms related to other illnesses.
• It is strongly recommended that the identified close contact wears a mask for 10 days from the date of exposure.