Updated Yellow Zone Guidance from NYSDOH

NYSDOH has released updated guidance for schools within yellow zones. The updated information is below:
  • Effective the week of November 16: Schools in yellow zones must test at least 20% of in-person students, faculty, and staff over a two-week period immediately following the announcement of a yellow zone designation.
  • Geographic areas designated as yellow zones are so categorized due to increased viral spread as indicated by increases in new cases, positivity, hospitalizations, and other factors.
  • If the results indicate that the positivity rate among the 20% of those tested is lower than the yellow zone’s current seven-day positivity rate (the percent of positive cases of all COVID-19 tests performed), testing at that school will no longer be required.
  • If the results of the testing are higher than the yellow zone’s current seven-day positivity rate, the school will be required to continue to test 20% of the in-person population on a bi-weekly basis.
  • NYSDOH stated that this amendment to prior guidance is due to the review of positivity rates in school settings as demonstrated on the COVID-19 School Report Dashboard and laboratory results. The data as of now reflects low positivity rates in schools, which they attribute to schools following the protocols for in-person instruction.
  • Click here for the daily positivity rate by county.