COVID-19 Protocols

The Burlington Public Schools will no longer be contact tracing, have a mask mandate in schools, and there will be no further testing provided in the schools.

These COVID-19 guidelines will replace our routine BPS Illness Guidelines for symptoms that are possible COVID-19 symptoms. We will handle other illnesses that are not considered to be possible symptoms of COVID-19 according to our routine BPS Illness Guidelines. Additionally, Because COVID-19 is such a fluid situation and we are continually learning and adapting our practices according to the behavior of this virus, the release from any quarantine and/or isolation is under the jurisdiction of the local board of health where the individual resides and the Board of Health can override the guidelines set forth in this document. Additionally, BPS reserves the right to change and update the district COVID Protocol following the DPH and Burlington BOH recommendations.

Protocol/Guide lines:
- A rapid antigen test, such as a self-test, is preferred to a PCR test in most situations (at discretion of the school nurse). The school nurse can require an antigen test by a medical facility if she finds it prudent in certain situations.

- To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the day a positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.

- While masks are not required or recommended in the setting, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, will be supported in that choice. For those who need or choose to mask, masking is never required in these settings while the individual is eating, drinking, sleeping or outside.

- All individuals are encouraged to stay up-to-date with vaccination as vaccines remain the best way to help protect yourself and others.

- Quarantine (when you have a known exposure) is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff of BPS, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 6 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below.

COVID Symptoms are as follows:
- Fever (100ºF or greater), chills, or shaking chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle aches or body aches
- Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough) Must have medical documentation in the students school medical record.
- Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, when in combination with other symptoms
- Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
- Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
- Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies), when in combination with other symptoms

- Symptomatic individuals can remain in their school or program if they have mild symptoms and if they have been tested and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative.
- If the symptomatic individual at home cannot be tested immediately prior to school, they should stay home and can be allowed to return to school if symptoms remain mild and they are tested and found to be negative, OR they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return.
- If the individual is symptomatic at school and was not tested prior to school that day, the individual must be dismissed and can be allowed  to return to school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, OR they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever- reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return.

- If you test positive for COVID-19 on either a rapid antigen or PCR test, you are required to self-isolate – whether you are vaccinated or not. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. Self-isolation means separating yourself from others to keep your germs from spreading. Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals who test positive should avoid people who are at high risk of severe disease for 10 days.

ANY STAFF OR STUDENTS THAT ATTEND BPS [ NO MATTER VACCINATION STATUS ]

ABLE TO MASK...
YES - Able to wear mask other than eating or drinking

ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS ...
- Stay home and isolate for at least the first 5 days; You are probably most infectious during these 5 days
- If you never had symptoms are improving *You may end your isolation on day 6
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days (including in the household) You may remove your mask prior to 11 days, if you have had two negative tests taken 48 hours apart

ABLE TO MASK...
NO - unable to wear a mask while on the bus and in school

ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS ...
- stay home and isolate for 10 days
- If you never had symptoms or symptoms are improving,* you may end your isolation on day 11.
- You may return to school sooner if you have had two negative tests taken 48 hours apart after day 5.

*Note: If you have or develop symptoms, continue to stay home, until you have not had a fever for 24-hours without the use of fever reducing medicine and your other symptoms are improving. If you were severely ill (were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system, you should consult your healthcare provider before leaving isolation.

Revised 6/15/23 BC References: DESE COVID Guidelines 8/15/22 and DESE and DPH COVID Guidelines update 8/25/22 and Comprehensive PPE Guidance 5/5/23