Buckeye Reporter

The Ohio Department of Health has adopted the new quarantine guidelines recommended by the CDC earlier this week. The Highland School District will follow the new recommendations, effective immediately. The new guidance reduces isolation restrictions for asymptomatic individuals who test positive for COVID-19. It also shortens the amount of time that close contacts need to quarantine. From ODH:

“Evidence shows that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to symptom onset, and in the 2-3 days after symptoms begin,” explained Dr. Vanderhoff. “The CDC’s updated quarantine and isolation guidance takes the latest science and evidence into consideration, with a focus on testing, masking, and symptom monitoring – similar to Ohio’s reduced quarantine guidelines in the state’s ‘mask to stay’ and ‘test to play’ guidance.” 

The Ohio Department of Health has released a flow chart based on the CDC’s updated guidance following an exposure to someone with COVID-19. The detailed quarantine and isolation guidance from ODH can be found here. The new changes, in part, include: 

• Regardless of vaccination status or symptoms, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days. 
• However, if symptoms are improving, isolation may end on the sixth day following either symptom onset or a positive COVID-19 test if the person consistently wears a mask for the next five days.

We realize you may have questions regarding this new information and our school nurses will do their best to assist you. In addition, the Medina County Health Department can provide specific guidance and additional information and we encourage you to reach out to them at 330-723-9688.

Please be advised that we have a limited number of the at-home rapid antigen test kits for distribution, as the Ohio Department of Health also has a shortage of test kits due to the high demand. Test kits will be prioritized to students and staff who are symptomatic or who have been in close contact with an infected individual. We encourage you to check local libraries and drug stores for additional test kit availability. Unfortunately, we simply do not have access to an unlimited supply of test kits. Thank you for your understanding.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday as we return from Winter Break. We hope that you had a relaxing and enjoyable time with family and friends.

Original source can be found here.