When Philadelphia is in the All Clear COVID-19 response level and masks are no longer required in school, there are still things that schools can do to help keep students and staff safe. Ventilation, handwashing, and reminding staff and students to stay home if they are sick remain important. Cases are very low in Philadelphia, but many people have questions about what to do if there is a case in their school, when widespread contact tracing and universal masking are not being used.
In the event that a staff member or student at a school tests positive for COVID, schools now have a menu of options, allowing them the ability to choose a strategy to help keep COVID from spreading that is best for them and reflects the needs and resources available at their school.
Schools are responsible for implementing their chosen strategy, with Health Department assistance as requested. Check with your school administration to find out which strategy they have adopted so you know what to expect. Here are the options for managing a positive COVID case currently available:
Mask to Stay
If your school chooses a Mask to Stay option, that means that people who have been exposed to someone with COVID can stay in school but need to stay masked while they are in school.
Option 1- Close Contacts Only
If this strategy is implemented, close contacts of someone who tested positive would be required to participate in contact tracing. They should get tested with a PCR or rapid antigen test within 48 hours and again five days after they were exposed, but that is not required. All close contacts must wear masks for 10 days after they are exposed or 7 days with a negative test on day 5.
Option 2 – Cohorts/Classrooms
If this strategy is implemented, every person in the exposed classroom or formal group would need to mask to stay in school. They should get tested with a PCR or rapid antigen test within 48 hours and again five days after they were exposed, but that is not required. The entire classroom or group must wear masks for 10 days after they are exposed or 7 days with a negative test on day 5.
Test to Stay
If your school chooses a Test to Stay option, that means that people who are not up-to-date on their COVID vaccine and have been exposed to someone with COVID can stay in school so long as they test negative every other day from exposure until 7 days after exposure.
Option 1 – Close Contacts Only
If this strategy is implemented, people who are not up-to-date on their vaccinations and are close contacts of someone who has tested positive would be required to participate in contact tracing and test to stay to remain in school. All of the close contacts must wear masks for 7 days after exposure.
Option 2 – Cohorts/Classrooms
If this strategy is implemented, every person in the exposed classroom or formal group would need to participate in contact tracing and test to stay to remain in school. The entire classroom or group must wear masks for 7 days after exposure.
Quarantine
If your school chooses the quarantine option, people who are not up-to-date with vaccination and are close contacts of someone who has tested positive would be required to quarantine at home. These individuals would need to quarantine for 10 days and participate in contact tracing.
