State provides added guidance for schools during pandemic

In response to suspected or positive COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools, Governor Steve Bullock has announced new guidance that will take public health-based measures to minimize the spread and keep students safe and healthy. The Outbreak Response Protocols are based off an outbreak response plan that was put together by the State of Rhode Island. The need to initiate a new set of protocols came after school nurses and education advocates requested guidance.

“The Outbreak Response Protocols provides guidance requested by school nurses and other education advocated to ensure K-12 schools are responding to COVID-19 consistently and taking measures backed by science,” Governor Bullock said in a press release on September 10. “By following these protocols in consultation with local public health, our schools can properly quarantine, recommend testing, and take other measures to minimize the spread and keep kids healthy while preserving in person learning for the students and families who depend on it.”

The document, according to the press release, includes the best practices from the CDC and other expert groups to provide high-level guidance for schools as they work with their local public health agency to respond to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. The response protocols include information on COVID-19 symptoms, when to call for emergency care, determining close contacts, when to quarantine, isolate, and recommend testing, and when to allow students and staff to return to school. The press release also says the documents includes information on when to involve local public health, how to screen symptomatic students and staff to determine if testing or isolation is appropriate, and guidance on athletics and extracurricular activities.

For those students in athletics and extracurriculars, the guidance recommends hand sanitizing, wearing face coverings when appropriate, and prioritizing activities where physical distancing can be maintained. Other recommendations include minimizing travel, keeping practices or events small, and sanitizing equipment and frequently touched surfaces.

It is suggested for schools to have plans in place for isolation, treatment, and appropriate transportation for a visiting traveling athlete, extracurricular activity participant, or staff who develops COVID-19 symptoms.

The governor’s office has distributed the guidance to public health officials, schools, and education advocates. The full plan can also be found online at governor.mt.gov.