• The state of North Carolina has updated its COVID quaratine and isolation procedures for 2022. Please see highlights of the changes below.

    The rules for quarantines and isolations are mandated by the state and can be found online in the NC Public Health Toolkit for schools (see link below). Here is a brief overview provided by Watauga's local health department, App Health Care, of the recent changes to the state requirements:

    • Staff and students who have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should get tested and be isolated from others while waiting for a result. If testing is not possible, follow the guidance below as if the person is positive.  
    • Isolation: Staff and students who test positive, regardless of vaccination status, and
    • Do not have symptoms – should be isolated from others for 5 days, then wear a mask (including at school) for 5 additional days. 
    • Have symptoms – should isolate from others until fever-free and symptoms are improving. Individuals should isolate for at least 5 days since symptoms began and then wear a mask (including at school) for 5 additional days.  
    • Quarantine: Staff and students who are exposed to someone with COVID-19, and
    • Not vaccinated – stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if they test negative, return to school while wearing a mask for 5 additional days.
    • Vaccinated and eligible for a booster, but not yet been boosted – stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if they test negative, return to school while wearing a mask for 5 additional days.
    • Vaccinated and have either received a booster or are not yet eligible for a booster – individuals do not need to stay away from others, but should wear a mask for 10 days. 

    StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit guidance that remains unchanged includes: Individuals who are not fully vaccinated after a close contact in a classroom or other school setting: if masks were being worn appropriately and consistently by both the person with COVID-19 and the potentially exposed person, the close contact person does NOT need to quarantine.

     

    StrongSchoolsNC: Public Health Toolkit (K-12)