Barnstable Public Schools Shorten COVID-19 Isolation Protocols

BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable Public Schools changed its isolation protocols for students and staff who test positive for the coronavirus.

Per recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), school officials reduced isolation time from 10 days to five days. School officials said students and staff should adhere to the new isolation length only if their symptoms have improved or resolved.

Once students and staff are out of isolation, they must wear masks when around others for five days. This means on day six, as long as symptoms have greatly improved, students and staff can return to school.

If students or staff still have a fever after five days, they cannot return to school. School officials said students and staff need to be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medicine before leaving isolation.