The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently updated their COVID-19 isolation recommendations. The Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education have adopted the recommendations set forth by the CDC. Murray County Central (MCC) will follow the guidelines below and offer the shortened isolation to staff and students who meet the requirements.
Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 days. To calculate the 5-day isolation period, day 0 is the first day of symptoms and day 1 is the first full day after symptoms developed. After 5 full days of isolation (day 6) MCC students and staff who are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and have improvement of symptoms are eligible for the shortened isolation, as long as a well fitting mask is worn at all times for the additional days (day 6 through day 10). Individuals unable to wear a mask when around others should continue to isolate for a full 10 days and will not be allowed to return to school early.
Further recommendations for the shortened isolation period include:
Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.
Do not travel during the 5-day isolation period. If you must travel on days 6-10, wear a well fitting mask when around others. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel during the 10 days.
Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask and avoid eating around others until a full 10 days after your first day of symptoms.
MCC has at home COVID-19 antigen tests kits available for symptomatic students. It is recommended that antigen tests are used twice over a three day period with at least 24 hours in between tests. If your child is ill and you would like a free test kit, contact the health office at 507-836-6184 extension 4120 (Central) or 5111 (West). Please note that a negative result does not necessarily rule out a COVID-19 infection and questions or concerns related to your child's illness should be addressed with your healthcare provider.
More information pertaining to COVID-19 can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html#calculating-isolation
In Health,
Amanda Tentinger LSN PHN