January 3, 2022 - COVID-19 Exclusion Updates

Exclusion Due to Illness or Symptoms

One of the critical strategies for maintaining a healthy school community is for students and staff to stay home when sick. As always, if your child has certain symptoms such as fever or worsening cough, they should remain at home and seek medical attention if appropriate.  

 Per DHEC guidelines, students must be excluded from school as follows:

• based on close contact with an individual who has contracted COVID-19.
• receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. 
• experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms.

Acceptable COVID-19 Tests

In order to return to school on the basis of a negative COVID-19 test result, the test must be a PCR or antigen test.   At-home testing kits are not acceptable as a proof of a negative test result.

Exclusion Due to Close Contact

Students must be excluded from school for a minimum of five (5) days if they have been in close contact with another person who has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Students may return to school on day 6 if they have no symptoms and receive a negative result from COVID-19 test taken on day 4 or after.  Students returning on day 6 must wear a mask through day 10.  Documentation of the negative test must be provided to the school nurse.

Students may be excluded from school for ten (10) days if they display symptoms or choose to not wear a mask through day 10 after returning with a negative test.

Fully vaccinated students or students who have a verified COVID-19 diagnosis in the previous 90 days are not required to be excluded unless they develop symptoms. Students may voluntarily choose to provide documentation of their full vaccination status to eliminate the need for exclusion. 

Exclusion Due to a Positive Test

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 must be excluded from school attendance for a minimum of five (5) days. 

Symptomatic Students - students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must remain excluded for at least five (5) days from the start of symptoms. Students may return on day 6 if their symptoms have improved and are free of fever greater than 100.4 for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Students returning on day 6 must wear a mask through day 10. Parents must also submit a note attesting to the student’s improved symptoms.

Asymptomatic Students - students who don’t show symptoms but have tested positive for COVID-19 must be excluded from school for five (5) days following the administration of the test. Students may return on day 6 if they continue to remain symptom-free.  Students returning on day 6 must wear a mask through day 10. 

Students may be excluded from school for a minimum of ten (10) days if symptoms develop/worsen or choose to not wear a mask through day 10.

Students are subject to exclusion for a positive COVID-19 test regardless of their vaccination status or a prior COVID-19 diagnosis.

Exclusion Due to Symptoms

Students must be excluded if they experience COVID-19 related symptoms:

 Any one (1) of the following:

• Fever of 100.4 or greater
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• New or worsening cough
• Loss of taste or smell 

 Any two (2) or more of the following:

• Sore throat
• Muscle Aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Congestion or runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

 Students who display COVID-19 related symptoms are to be excluded from school until they:

• receive a negative COVID-19 test.
• present a physician’s or other clinical note attributing symptoms to another more likely condition. 
• complete a minimum of ten (10) days of exclusion with improved symptoms including bring free of a fever greater than 100.4 without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours prior to their return.

 Students are subject to exclusion due to COVID-19 related symptoms regardless of their vaccination status or a prior COVID-19 diagnosis. 

Student Learning during Exclusion

Students will be provided the opportunity to complete school work from home during exclusion periods.   Parents or students should contact their teachers for assignments.