COVID-19 Response Protocol
The following is information about our process for communicating about cases of COVID-19 at schools in our district. This plan was developed collaboratively with Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) to create consistency, protect privacy and prioritize student and staff safety.
Confirmed Case
If a student tests positive for COVID-19, PHSS and our district will share the information about the diagnosis with one another. Medical information will only be shared between PHSS and the school nurse OR identified school contact to protect the individual’s privacy. Our district and schools will not share the names of individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The school nurse OR identified school contact will work with PHSS to provide the information they need. Note: Our school district will not contact families about a single confirmed COVID-19 case.
Quarantine
Quarantine is when someone who has been exposed to COVID-19 stays home and away from others for the recommended period of time in case they were infected and are contagious.
- Students and staff who have COVID-19 symptoms are required to stay home and should get tested and/or see a health care provider. Individuals should follow the health department's return to work/school protocol accordingly.
- Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate, regardless of vaccination status. The individual may return to school after 5 full days of isolation if:
- Their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic, AND
- They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- If returning to school after day 5, the individual must either wear a well-fitted face covering during days 6-10, OR test negative with an antigen or at-home test any day after day 5. If the individual is not able to wear a well-fitted face covering, AND does not test negative, they should continue isolating at home through day 10.
Safety
Our custodial staff will thoroughly clean and sanitize the affected area based on COVID-19 exposure cleaning protocols. Please remind your child of the following health tips:
- Do not come to school when you are sick.
- Practice physical distancing.
- Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth.
- Clean your hands often. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a school-approved hand sanitizer. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
Confirmed Outbreak
Washington State Department of Health defines an “outbreak” as three or more students or staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19, who are linked through a shared location, like a classroom or school bus, do not share a household, and did not have significant contact outside of the school grounds.
If an outbreak is identified, families will be notified. School staff will work closely with PHSS to mitigate further spread of COVID-19. In an outbreak situation, students and staff may be required to test and wear masks in order to continue to attend school and/or participate in an activity.
Resources
We understand this news can be unsettling and that you will have many questions. PHSS has additional COVID-19 information on its website. Olympia School District protocols are also outlined in the OSD COVID-19 Pandemic Safety Plan. Our priority is to protect the health and safety of our students and staff, including your child.