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Updated DHEC Requirements for Quarantine and Isolations
Per the new information recently announced by the CDC regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine protocols, DHEC has now updated the School Exclusion List for isolation and quarantine protocols related to COVID-19. The new guidelines allow for reduced isolation periods for positive individuals and reduced quarantine periods for close contacts under certain criteria. Based on the new information, Clover School District is making changes to its policies, effective Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The district carefully adheres to state and federal law, including the current protocols established by DHEC. Under South Carolina law, school districts are required to follow the DHEC's School Exclusion List, which establishes protocols for infected individuals and those who are determined to be close contacts as defined by SC DHEC's COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools. Neither the school board nor the district administration has the authority to disregard or modify DHEC protocols for any illness included in the School Exclusion List. However, the new guidelines give parents and staff options on how to respond when an individual is positive or exposed to COVID-19.
Students or Staff who test positive:
- An individual who is positive with a viral test (PCR or antigen; home tests are not accepted) may remain at home for 10 days with no additional test and no required mask wearing when they return to school.
- The isolation period can be reduced to 5 days if there are no symptoms or symptoms that have improved and the individual is willing to wear a mask on days 6-10.
- Asymptomatic or symptomatic students or staff with a positive viral test are excluded from school 5 days from the onset of symptoms.
- Symptomatic students or staff must provide a parent note confirming that symptoms have improved and there has been no fever in the past 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
- Parents or staff may complete the following form to document readiness to return to school on day 6 under the shortened isolation guidelines.
- Student Form
DHEC GUIDANCE FLYER for persons who have tested positive for COVID
Students or Staff who are Close/Household Contacts:
- The close contact quarantine period has been reduced from 14 to 10 days with no mask, no vaccine, and no test.
- Individuals who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine as a close contact but must wear a mask through day 10.
- Individuals who wore a mask and were at least 3-feet from individuals who have tested positive do not need to quarantine.
- The quarantine period can be reduced to 5 days under the following circumstances:
- The quarantine can end after day 5 if a viral test is negative AND if no symptoms were present during the quarantine period.
- A PCR or antigen test must be collected no sooner than day 4 or day 5. At-home tests will not be accepted.
- Individuals must be willing to wear a mask from days 6-10 when returning to school.
- Individuals who are household close contacts must isolate during the infected person’s 5-day isolation period. The individual must be able to separate from the positive household member during this isolation period and remain symptom-free. The individual will quarantine for 5 additional days after the infected individual’s isolation period, get tested no sooner than day 4 or 5 of the quarantine period, and return to school if symptom-free with a mask for 5 additional days.
- Parents or staff will complete a form to document readiness to return to school on day 6 under the shortened quarantine guidelines.
DHEC GUIDANCE FLYER for persons who have had close contact with a COVID-19 Case
For individuals who are currently isolating or quarantining under the previous guidelines, the district will apply the updated guidance on an individual basis.
The early return from isolations is for school attendance and other extracurriculars where students can wear a mask while participating. Early return does NOT apply to athletics because masks cannot be worn during practices or competition.
Please direct any questions you have to your school administration or school nurse.