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1/11 Update from the Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent's Update - Changes to COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine

Update: January 11 2022

Dear Harrison Families,

Today, January 11, 2022, the Westchester County Department of Health adopted the updated  New York State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation to shorten the duration of isolation and quarantine related to COVID-19.

Isolation Requirements

  • Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for at least five (5) days (regardless of vaccination status). 

  • Day 0 is the first day of symptoms or, for asymptomatic students, the day the COVID-19 test was performed.  

  • Students may attend school after the 5-day isolation provided symptoms have improved (i.e., cough and runny nose are resolved), and they are fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours. If symptoms persist after day 5, further isolation will be required.  Certain symptoms such as loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.  

  • If asymptomatic students develop symptoms after testing positive, the 5-day isolation period starts over. Day 0 is the first day of symptoms. 

  • Students who test positive should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of their 5-day isolation period if they are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate for 10 days.

Quarantine Requirements

  • Students who are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series (i.e., at least 14 days past the second dose) who came into close contact with someone with COVID-19 must quarantine for at least five (5) days after their last close contact (where day 0 is the most recent day of close contact).  

  • Unvaccinated, asymptomatic students are eligible to participate in HCSD’s Test to Stay Program with parent consent to attend school during the 5-day quarantine period.

  • Students are not permitted to participate in sports or extracurricular activities during the 5-day quarantine and are required to quarantine when not in school. 

If your child is currently in quarantine or isolation, please do not bring your child to school before receiving clearance from the nurse or school administrator. If the school nurse or school administrator contacts you, please be ready to provide dates of symptom onset, test results, and the number of quarantine/isolation days completed. 

Our shared goals remain unchanged: (1) ensuring the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, and (2) ensuring students attend school for in-person learning every day. 

Our advocacy has influenced these significant steps toward a normalized school experience for your children.  It is likely more updates will be coming from the NYSDOH. I will share those updates and further advocacy for reform to COVID-19 protocols in the upcoming days. Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as these regulations evolve.

Sincerely,

Louis N. Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools