Marblehead Coronavirus Protocols For In-Classroom Learning

MARBLEHEAD, MA — As more Marblehead students return to in-classroom learning this week, the district is asking parents and students to make sure they are familiar with protocols should students or staff experience coronavirus symptoms or come into contact with those testing positive for the coronavirus or experiencing symptoms.

The district has had kindergarten students and first-graders in school already with Superintendent of Schools John Buckey saying in a letter to the school community that Marblehead Schools are learning each week when it comes to having an optimum hybrid-learning experience with second-graders returning this week.

In the case of a student or staff member with a confirmed case of coronavirus being discovered at schools, the district notes that should never happen because anyone feeling the need to be tested for coronavirus should staff home until receiving their test results.

But in the case of it happening, patients should then stay home and quarantine with the exception of getting medical care. The Marblehead Board of Health will be notified and contact tracing will be done. All close contacts of the confirmed case should also expect to quarantine for 14 days.

Clearance from the Board of Health is required for return to school. Isolation may end after not experiencing fever or symptoms for 24 hours without the benefit of fever-reducing medication.

If a student or staff member is in close contact with a confirmed case, even with a negative test, the student or staff member will be asked to quarantine for 14 days. Close contacts should monitor for symptoms and contact the Board of Health and gain clearance before returning to school.

If a student or staff member is a probable case, they should return home and isolate. The student or staff should then seek a coronavirus test or quarantine for 14 days. For a return to school can happen they must test negative for coronavirus, have improved symptoms and have no fever for 24 hours without help of a fever-reducing medication.

Probable cases who test positive for coronavirus must quarantine for 14 days and gain clearance from the Board of Health.

If a staff or student experiences symptoms while at school, they will be immediately isolated and then dismissed. A coronavirus test should be sought in consultation with a primary-care physician. Those who do not take a take must quarantine for 14 days or until asymptomatic and cleared by a PCP. They can then return to school after being fever-free for 24 hours without medication if they did not test positive for the coronavirus, and those who did must receive clearance from the Board of Health.

Students who become symptomatic while on the bus must isolate while on the bus and then be examined by the school nurse or coronavirus point person upon arrival if going to school. They should then seek a test in consultation with a primary-care physician. If not tested, they must quarantine for 14 days and until asymptomatic or cleared by a primary-care physician.

They can return to school if they test negative, with improved symptoms and having been fever free for 24 hours. If they test positive, they must be cleared by the Marblehead Board of Health.

If a staff, student or one of their family members is a contact of a contact of someone suspected of being coronavirus positive they should monitor the original contact's test results. No further action needs to be taken pending the test other than monitoring for symptoms and practice vigilant social distancing and mask-wearing. Only if the original contact tests positive for coronavirus does the contact of a contact need to contact a primary-care physician and coronavirus point person Deanna McMahon for further instructions.