Responding to Potential & Confirmed Cases

  • Protocols are in place to respond to cases of COVID-19 reported to district health staff. This includes robust contact tracing by a trained team of health professionals, notification to any individual that may have had potential exposure and issuing of quarantine requirements. Notifications and communication will occur in partnership with the Spokane Regional Health District and must comply with established legal requirements for privacy. Transparency and privacy will both be recognized.  

    • SPS will use a team of contact tracers to quickly follow up on potential or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
    • Individuals who are determined to have potential close contact will be notified regarding the need for testing and quarantine.
    • Staff and students who are working in and attending the school building will be notified by the SPS Communication department.
    • A weekly report will be provided on the district website to share the location and number of confirmed cases in the district.

    Video: Return-to-School Q&A with SPS Health Director Becky Doughty

    Quick Guide: Responding to potential and confirmed cases

    By the Numbers: Stats on weekly academic participation, supports, meals served and more!

COVID-19 Protocols

If a student exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 while at school

  1. The school contacts the parent/guardian
  2. The student is isolated, PPE are used, and areas of possible exposure are disinfected.
  3. Parents are advised to get their student tested.
  4. If students are not tested, they should stay home from school until
    • 24 hours have passed with no fever AND
    • 10 days have passed from symptom onset AND
    • the student’s symptoms have improved.
      UPDATED 12/10: All siblings of the sick student must also be quarantined for the same amount of time, per guidance from Spokane Regional Health District.
  5. Students may return to school before the 10-day period if they have a note from a healthcare provider stating a different diagnosis and approving their to return to school.

*Any tested student, staff or visitor should isolate while awaiting test results

 

If a student, employee, or visitor tests positive for COVID-19

  1. The contact tracing team conducts a case investigation and requires student/employee with confirmed positive COVID-19 to isolate for 10 days during infectious period according to the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) guidelines.
  2. The contact tracing team compiles a list of close contacts within the district and follows protocols set by the SRHD. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of another person for more than 15 minutes
  3. The contact tracing team notifies close contacts of potential COVID-19 exposure. Those confirmed as having had close contact are informed of the 14-day quarantine requirement and are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19. A negative test result within the 14-day quarantine does not shorten the length of quarantine.

If a student, employee, or visitor tests negative for COVID-19

  1. School District notifies SRHD that a student or employee is being tested for COVID-19. The individual isolates while awaiting results.

If an individual

  • Has no symptoms but had close contact with a confirmed case
    • Quarantine for 14 days from date of last exposure
    • In households with one or more positive COVID-19 cases, the quarantine period lasts for 24 days from most recent positive test or symptom onset of any person in the home.
  • Has no current symptoms and no close contact
    • May return to school if 24 hours have elapsed with no fever
  • Is symptomatic but has no close contact
    • Must stay in isolation until 24 hours have elapsed with no fever and symptom improvement.
  • Is symptomatic and has close contact with confirmed case
    • Quarantine for 14 days from date of last exposure. May return to school if fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication AND has symptom improvement.

COVID Dashboard: Cases by School

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contact tracing