New COVID-19 guidance about isolation and quarantine

January 13, 2022

Dear Otselic Valley Families:

I am writing to give you important updates related to COVID-19. We have received new Isolation and Quarantine Guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the Chenango County Health Department. Please see the guidelines and protocols below:

Isolate for 5 days, where 0 is the day of symptoms 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, then isolation ends, and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days. Students and staff may return to school on day 6 with no symptoms.

If not fully vaccinated, quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days. Individuals must be symptom-free on days 5 through 10 or they must stay home to finish their 10-day quarantine. These new guidelines include folks currently in quarantine and for those cases moving forward. Individuals should obtain a P C R test. If you have any questions surrounding the new quarantine/isolation guidelines, please contact the school nurse. If fully vaccinated, no quarantining is required unless symptomatic and then testing should occur.

We have had several families contacting the school to notify us that their child has tested positive for COVID-19 using an At-Home Test. In this case, the county is asking that you report this to the Health Department by completed the new Home-Test Reporting Form. The online form will ask for basic contact information and will be uploaded into their case investigation system.

As always if your child is sick, please do not send them to school The school nurse is able to perform a rapid P C R test to determine if the student is COVID-19 positive.

Respectfully,

Georgia Gonzalez

Superintendent, O V C S D

"We aspire to be a model school that empowers all students to realize their unlimited potential."