Revised Guidance on Isolation, Quarantine, and Contact Tracing

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/new-york-state-contact-tracing

Late Friday afternoon (1-14-22), NYSDOH revised for the second time their most recent guidance that SAANYS just reported on in the COVID-19 Daily Update sent out earlier this afternoon. Our Update highlighted the confusing nature of information in the NYSDOH guidance regarding school district responsibility for contact tracing in schools. Two questions in two separate FAQs, provided conflicting statements as to whether school districts should, or are required to, conduct contact tracing. As a result of strong feedback from our organization and other stakeholders, the information on school district responsibilities for contact tracing has just been clarified with the following information:

Contact Tracing and Case Investigation FAQs – Prior to question #8 being deleted, the question read:

“(8) Are schools required to do contact tracing when students or staff test positive for, develop symptoms of, or are exposed to COVID-19?

Schools may work with their local health department to ensure that members of the school community, including students, staff, and teachers, who test positive for, develop symptoms of ,or are exposed to COVID-19 have access to the information they need to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and others. This may include isolating or quarantining, notifying close contacts, staying home when ill, monitoring symptoms, and wearing a well-fitting mask. Isolation and quarantine attestation forms, and related information are available at state and local health department websites.

When close contact with someone who tested positive for or has symptoms of COVID-19 occurs on the school campus, schools are in a strong position to notify those who may have been exposed and should do so. Schools should at least notify all parents and guardians if there is a positive COVID-19 case in the classroom. These exposed individuals should then be referred to information provided by the state or local health department and should follow the quarantine guidance.”

This answer to the question stated that schools ”notify those who may have been exposed and should do so,“ which was oppositional to another question in another DOH FAQ document. Question 8 has now been removed from the FAQ on Contact Tracing and Case Investigation. Therefore, the remaining FAQ on school district contact tracing responsibilities is found in the Frequently Asked Questions for Schools in Q.1.

This question and answer state:

Q1: Are schools required to do contact tracing when students or staff test positive for, develop symptoms of, or are exposed to COVID-19?

“No. Schools may work with their local health department to ensure that members of the school community, including students, staff, and teachers, who test positive for, develop symptoms of, or are exposed to COVID-19 have access to the information they need to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and others. This may include isolating or quarantining, notifying close contacts, staying home when ill, monitoring symptoms, and wearing a well-fitting mask. Isolation and quarantine attestation forms, and related information are available at state and local health department websites.

When known close contact with someone who tested positive for, or has symptoms of, COVID-19 occurs on the school campus, for example, in a classroom, schools should at least notify parents and guardians of affected students. Exposed individuals should be referred to information provided by the state or local health department and should follow the quarantine guidance.”

The elimination of Q.8 is helpful and makes clear that school districts are not required to conduct contact tracing and need to ensure that students and staff have access to needed information and inform parents and guardians of affected students.

Please feel free to contact SAANYS with any questions or concerns at cgallagher@saanys.org or 518-782-0060.