Health Services Update 4/26/21
Welcome back after your well-deserved April break. I am writing with an update from the Health Services Department.
Update to Quarantine Guidance for Close Contacts at School
After a series of published studies and updated guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the CDC, and multiple medical advisory boards, and supported by our own pooled testing data and quarantine data for the entire school year, students seated in the classroom and on the bus, when wearing masks, who are at least 3 feet apart, will no longer have to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19 in the classroom. This updated guidance does not apply to exposures related to household members, social activities, extracurricular activities, or sports.
Also, note that:
- Individuals who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine or test for 90 days as long as they are not showing any symptoms.
- Individuals who had confirmed COVID-19 (diagnosed by a positive PCR test) do not have to quarantine or test for 90 days if they are fully recovered and remain without symptoms.
- Students may be seated at less than three feet from one another on the school bus so contact tracing resulting in quarantine is still possible from a school bus exposure.
Pooled Testing
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the Hanover Public Schools for fully funded pooled testing for the remainder of the year. We encourage all families to participate in this program. As noted above, the important information we gained from this program has enabled us to essentially eliminate the need to quarantine students who are seated in the classroom with a person who tests positive for COVID-19.
You may consent for pooled testing by logging onto ASPEN and clicking on the “Initiate” button under the COVID-19 Pooled Testing Consent workflow. You may also call your school nurse if you would like assistance in completing the form.
Benefits of surveillance (pooled) testing include:
- Isolating asymptomatic carriers who may unknowingly spread the virus to others.
- Provide a sense of confidence when most students test negative.
Recent Improvements in the process:
- Rapid (15-minute) follow-up testing in school for those in a positive pool.
- No missed days of school if in a positive pool.
- No need to quarantine if in a classroom with a positive person (if seated at least 3 apart wearing a mask).
Updated Pooled Testing Schedule:
- Tuesdays: Hanover High School and Cedar School
- Wednesdays: Hanover Middle School and Center School
Anyone who was in a positive pool will receive a “School Messenger” alert to report to the School Nurse for individual rapid testing at the start of school. Those with a negative test may return to class, those with a positive test are required to isolate at home. If no positive person is found, swabs will be sent to the lab for PCR testing and all students return to class. Anyone from a positive pool who is exhibiting symptoms, even very mild, should stay home and have testing done at the Council on Aging.
Travel Testing
If you have traveled out of state over the April break, we request that you schedule a COVID-19 test. Children 10 and under do not need to test, as long as their accompanying adults have a negative test, or are exempt from testing because they are either fully vaccinated or within 90 days of a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Visit the Town of Hanover Testing page to register for your test. Testing is no longer mandatory, according to the governor’s revised travel advisory, but is highly recommended.
As always, if you or your child are experiencing any symptoms of illness, even if very mild, please stay home and contact your school nurse. Please continue to remain vigilant - wear a mask in public, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands often, maintain 6-foot distancing whenever possible and get a vaccine if you qualify.
Thank you for your continued support and patience.
Sincerely,
Patricia Smith, BSN, RN, NCSN
Director of Health Services
psmith@hanoverschools.org
781-878-5450, ext. 7405