HCPSS Students, Staff Have New COVID-19 Outbreak, Quarantining Guidelines To Follow

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Two changes have been implemented for students and staff with the Howard County Public School System when a school experiences a COVID-19 outbreak.

At a recent board of education meeting, Howard County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano announced several updates to guidelines during a COVID outbreak along with quarantining protocols for students and staff who are identified as outbreak contacts.

After consultation with the Howard County Health Department, HCPSS is implementing two changes when a school experiences an outbreak, effective immediately:

• When a school or cohort has an outbreak, all students, staff and visitors at the outbreak school are strongly encouraged to always remain masked while indoors, except when eating or drinking. Students who are part of the outbreak will be required to mask for 10 days. Masks will be available at all schools for anybody who needs one.
• All students and staff who are part of an outbreak or who have been identified as outbreak contacts will be strongly encouraged to be tested. Families may contact the school to request test kits when they are needed.

Also effective immediately, any student or staff member who is identified as part of an outbreak setting, not up-to-date on vaccines and asymptomatic will be expected to test before coming to school. Testing is expected on the first day after they are identified, again on the third day and then again on the fifth day. Day one is defined as the day after exposure. Close contacts are not currently being identified outside of outbreaks.

As long as each test is negative, the individual may continue to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities. Anyone who tests positive or displays symptoms must follow isolation procedures.

"Though students, staff, parents and guardians will not be asked to provide proof of testing to the school, it is critical that everybody strictly follow this new guidance to maintain a healthy school environment. Further, students and staff who are identified as part of that outbreak—regardless of vaccination status—will be required to remain masked in public settings for 10 days from the exposure," Martirano said. "These changes will help us maintain our goal of providing a healthy and safe learning environment for students and staff while also responding to the rising number of cases in our county."

HCPSS has received an additional 50,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits from the state and 5,000 from HCHD, which are being given to schools. If an asymptomatic student is identified as part of an outbreak and is not up to date on their vaccines, a kit will be sent home with that student. Students identified as part of an outbreak who are exhibiting symptoms may be tested, with parent/guardian consent, at school and further guidance will be provided.

Families also may contact their child’s school to request test kits if needed. HCHD is providing free at-home kits or families can use their own, the district noted.