Health Protocols
Adhering to public health guidelines for staff and student safety has been, and will continue to be, Union ESD’s priority throughout this pandemic and determines how we make decisions about teaching and learning.
Please participate in the daily at home health screening and reporting and familiarize yourself with the reporting procedures for a positive COVID-19 test.
Flow Chart for COVID-19 Screening
Table 1 shows a sample school operational plan for opening and remaining open that emphasizes layering prevention at all levels of community transmission. Currently, UESD is implementing these strategies.
Table 1: Prevention Strategies Recommended by Level of Community Transmission
| Prevention Strategies: All Schools | |||
All schools implement 5 key prevention strategies:
|
|||
| Prevention Strategies by Level of Community Transmission | |||
| Low Transmission1
Blue |
Moderate Transmission
Yellow |
Substantial Transmission
Orange |
High Transmission
Red |
| Elementary Schools
Physical distancing: at least 3 feet between students in classrooms |
Elementary Schools
-Physical distancing: at least 3 feet of distance between students in classrooms
-Cohorting2 recommended when possible |
||
| Middle and High Schools
Physical distancing: at least 3 feet between students in classrooms |
Middle and High Schools
Physical distancing: at least 3 feet of distance between students in classrooms Cohorting recommended when possible |
Middle and High Schools
Schools that can use cohorting: at least 3 feet of distance Schools that cannot use cohorting: at least 6 feet distance between students in classrooms 2 |
|
| Sports and extracurricular activities
Sports and extracurricular activities occur with at least 6 feet of physical distance to the greatest extent possible6 |
Sports and extracurricular activities
Sports and extracurricular activities occur with at least 6 feet of physical distance required6 |
Sports and extracurricular activities
Sports and extracurricular activities occur only if they can be held outdoors, with more than 6 feet of physical distancing6 |
|
1Levels of community transmission defined as total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days (low, 0-9; moderate, 10-49; substantial, 50-99; high, ≥100) and percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days (low, <5%; moderate, 5-7.9%; substantial, 8-9.9%; high, ≥10%).
2Cohorting involves creating groups of students that are separated from other groups by at least 6 feet throughout the entire day. Cohorting can be implemented in either full in-person instruction or hybrid instruction, or through other strategies.
3In middle and high schools, 6 feet is recommended in areas of high community transmission, unless they can implement cohorting. Schools may consider using reduced attendance, hybrid instruction, or other strategies to ensure 6 feet of physical distance between students in middle and high schools that do not use cohorting. Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 is intended to identify occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the individual level and is performed on individuals with or without suspected COVID-19 infection in accordance with the test’s authorization and labeling.
4Middle and high schools in areas of high community transmission should implement cohorting if they use less than 6 feet between students in classrooms. If cohorting is not possible, 6 feet between students is recommended. Middle and high schools can use strategies such as reduced attendance (some students are virtual only at all times) or hybrid instruction to achieve 6 feet of distance.
5School officials should implement limits on spectators and attendees for sports, extracurricular activities, and events to ensure 6 feet of physical distance and require use of masks.
6Schools may consider using screening testing for student athletes and adults (e.g., coaches, trainers) who support these activities to facilitate safe participation and reduce risk of transmission. See screening testing section and Table 4 for additional details.
When combined with prevention measures described above, such as mask use, physical distancing, and others, COVID 19 testing protocols can be an effective tool in reducing transmission. Screening testing & Diagnostic testing can be administered directly at a school facility through the school district, or through referral to community-based testing providers.
Table 2. Testing Recommendations by Level of Community Transmission
| Testing Recommendations: All Schools | |||
| Diagnostic testing1: Symptomatic students, teachers, and staff and close contacts referred for diagnostic testing
Screening Testing for teachers and staff: expanded screening testing3 of teachers and staff offered at least once per week |
|||
| Testing Recommendations by Level of Community Transmission | |||
| Low Transmission1
Blue |
Moderate Transmission
Yellow |
Substantial Transmission
Orange |
High Transmission
Red |
| No screening testing for students | Screening testing for students: expanded screening testing of students 4 offered at least once per week | ||
| Testing for high-risk sports:5 for schools conducting routine testing for sports, testing is recommended at least once per week
Testing for low and intermediate-risk sports: for schools conducting routine testing for sports, testing is recommended at least once per week |
Testing for high-risk sports: for schools conducting routine testing for sports, testing is recommended twice per week
Testing for low and intermediate-risk sports: for schools conducting routine testing for sports, testing is recommended at least once per week |
||
1Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 is intended to identify occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the individual level and is performed when there is a reason to suspect that an individual may be infected, such as having symptoms or suspected recent exposure.
2Screening testing is intended to identify infected asymptomatic individuals who may be contagious so that measures can be taken to prevent further transmission.
3Levels of community transmission defined as total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days (low, 0-9; moderate, 10-49; substantial, 50-99; high, ≥100) and percentage of positive tests in the past 7 days (low, <5%; moderate, 5-7.9%; substantial, 8-9.9%; high, ≥10%).
4Schools may consider testing a random sample of at least 10% of students or may conduct pooled testing of cohorts/pods for screening testing in areas of moderate and substantial community transmission.
5Schools may consider using screening testing for student athletes and adults (e.g., coaches, teacher advisors) who support these activities to facilitate safe participation and reduce risk of transmission. For an example risk stratification for sports, see https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/ssi/COVID/SSI_ResocializationDevelopingStandardsSecondEdition.pdfpdf iconexternal icon.