Every member of the St. Luke community has a shared responsibility to prevent the spread of illness, in particular COVID-19. In addition, every community member has a responsibility to stay home if they are aware of or suspect that they have a communicable illness or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
It is important that all community members adhere to the guidance here, with the understanding that guidelines and protocols may change as there are updated public health guidelines, as well as variations in the public health of our local community.
COVID-19 Information to know…
Close Contact: someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour time period (with or without mask)
Indirect Exposure: being exposed to someone who has been identified as a close contact to someone with Covid-19.
Example: Parent A was in contact with a coworker who has been diagnosed with Covid-19. Student A would be an indirect exposure due to not coming in contact with Parent A’s coworker. Student A would not need to quarantine unless Parent A develops symptoms or test positive for Covid. If Parent A later developed symptoms or tested positive then Student A would then be a close contact and would then begin the isolation from the parent and start the quarantine process.
See below for return from isolation/quarantine guidelines.
Confirmed Case: someone who has received a positive covid-19 result from testing. See below for return from isolation/quarantine guidelines.
Isolation: separates an infected person from those who are not. Limit all interaction from the person with the virus from those who do not have the disease.
Example: Parent A has tested positive for Covid-19. Parent A will need to isolate from the rest of the family in the household to help reduce the risk of transmission to the rest of the family. If Parent A is isolating then quarantine would begin for the rest of the family. See below for return from isolation/quarantine guidelines.
Quarantine: restricts the movement of those exposed to the disease to see if they become sick
Example: Teacher A was exposed to Student A who has tested positive for Covid-19. Teacher A would need to isolate at home to not potentially expose the rest of the household and at that time their quarantine would begin. Student A would start isolation to no longer expose the family to the disease. Student A’s family will also start the quarantine period. See below for return from isolation/quarantine guidelines.
Example if family is unable to isolate:
Parent A and Parent B have tested positive for Covid-19. Student A in the house is young and needs assistance from parents for normal daily activities. Parents A has been able to isolate from the family and returns to work after quarantine. Parent B has to care for Student A further exposing the student to the virus. It means Student A would be out for the isolation period for Parent B and then Student A would start their quarantine period. See below for return from isolation/quarantine guidelines.
EARLY RETURN GUIDELINES FROM THE CDC (CDC highly encourages 14-day quarantine)
Positive for Covid-19. When to resume normal activities:
-10-day isolation from others in your household to prevent them from being exposed. Isolation should begin when the symptoms first develop.
-10-day quarantine from when symptoms first appeared. Quarantine to your household
-24-hours fever free without fever reducing medication
-Improvement or resolution of symptoms
Asymptomatic (symptom free) but tested positive. When to resume normal activities:
-10-day isolation/quarantine from the date of positive results
Directly Exposed to someone with Covid-19
-Isolation/Quarantine will begin immediately upon notification.
-Early Release from Quarantine, with a test:
7-day quarantine if the following is met:
-Do not experience any symptoms during quarantine
-Tested for Covid-19 after 5 full days of quarantine
-Must be a PCR or antigen test
-After 7 full days of quarantine are met and you receive a NEGATIVE result you may return on day 8
-Early Release from Quarantine, without a test:
-10 full days have passed since your most recent exposure
-Do not experience any symptoms during quarantine
***Per CDC Guidelines: IF you discontinue quarantine prior to the ideal 14 days, you should continue to monitor your health and isolate immediately if symptoms develop.