The Connecticut Department of Public Health released new COVID-19 guidance for schools Friday, emphasizing a transition from a pandemic response to one that manages respiratory viral diseases like the flu.
The state department published two documents Friday. One explains how schools can transition from a “pandemic emergency response model toward a model that aligns with a more standard public health approach to the management and control of respiratory viral diseases.”
“Given the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, at-home testing and medications, our communities can begin to transition to these updated models of COVID-19 management,” the state agency said in a press release.
The Department of Public Health compared the model with how it approaches the flu. It focuses more on responding to clusters of cases, outbreaks, evidence of ongoing transmission and significant increases in community transmission risk, as opposed to individual case investigation, contact tracing and quarantining of staff and students after exposures.
DPH is recommending COVID-19 vaccines for eligible students and staff, booster shots when appropriate and supporting students and staff who choose to continue wearing a mask even if the school policies do not require it.
Schools should also follow isolation guidelines for students and staff who have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19. Parents should continue to report all COVID-19 cases to the school and schools should continue reporting identified cases to their local and state health departments, the DPH recommends.
Schools should continue using existing quarantine guidance for students and staff with higher-risk close contact exposures. The DPH is also recommending schools use COVID-19 transmission prevention strategies, including testing and masking for students and staff, after illnesses or exposures to COVID-19 cases.
The second document includes questions districts should consider when contemplating changes to their COVID-19 policies, either requiring masks or having mask wearing be optional, and recommendations.
The questions ask districts to look at local transmission data, how vaccination status could affect mask policies, how to help students and staff who may be at greater risk of adverse health outcomes and how districts plan to continuously review and revise their protocols responding to COVID-19.
Before Feb. 28, school districts should receive additional shipments of COVID-19 self-tests. Districts should distribute two kits per student and staff member, the state Department of Public Health said.
The state agency said if schools discontinue universal indoor masking on Feb. 28, the testing kits should be used by all students and staff just prior to lifting the mask requirement.
“Ideally, one test should be performed at home in the morning prior to leaving for school on the first day optional masking is implemented,” the state Department of Public Health said.