MICDS COVID-19 Resources for the 2022-2023 School Year

As we continue to learn how to live “with COVID” as a community, the following guidelines will be used for decision-making regarding COVID cases in our community. As always, guidelines are subject to change at any time based on updated CDC and St. Louis County Department of Public Health guidelines.

If you/your child tests positive or has been in contact with a household member who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, please consult with the school nurse for guidance regarding precautions and/or need for masking.

Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19

We will follow updated CDC Isolation guidance for positive COVID cases. If an employee, student, or someone in their household tests positive for COVID, please reach out to the divisional school nurse for consultation and support. This partnership continues to be our best defense against the spread of COVID in our school community.

Isolation

For those who have tested positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status, isolation will be required:

  • Day 0 for isolation timelines is symptom onset or positive test date if asymptomatic.
  • All students and employees will isolate for at least 5 days following onset of symptoms or positive test. Return on Day 6 or any day thereafter dependent on:
    Symptom resolution: 24-hour fever free without fever-reducing medication, no runny nose, no more than a minimal non-productive cough (not disruptive to work, does not inhibit continuous mask-wearing, not coughing up phlegm)
    Clearance from the divisional school nurse to return to school. At this time, MICDS will not require a negative COVID test to return after the initial five-day isolation period.
  • After isolation, CDC guidelines indicate individuals should:
    • Wear a mask through day 10, OR
    • If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10. Please share test results with the divisional nurse.
    • All COVID-positive individuals should continue to self-monitor for symptoms, notify the divisional school nurse, and seek re-evaluation from their healthcare provider if symptoms recur or worsen. If symptoms recur or worsen, the individual must stay home and seek medical care.

Illness at School

If an individual becomes symptomatic while at school, they will be sent to the divisional school nurse for assessment. Clinical decisions regarding dismissal will be determined by nurses based on symptom presentation and onset using the updated Student Symptom Decision Tree from Washington University.

COVID Antigen testing to assist with decision making is available through the school nurses during the school day with parent/employee permission. Please note that declining to have your student tested may result in their being sent home and instructed to see a medical professional.

If an individual is sent home and instructed to see a medical professional, they may only return if one of the following happens:

  • The medical professional provides a note with an alternative diagnosis.
  • The individual is symptom free for 24 hours AND can provide a negative test. A rapid at-home test or PCR is accepted with proof of results.