Ohio K-12 schools can drop universal contract search and daily reporting of COVID cases to the state, according to a memo released Wednesday by the Ohio Department of Health.
“The rapid spread of the Omicron variant and its rapid clinical course have made universal contact tracing, case investigation and exposure notification impossible when combined with newly reduced timelines for quarantine and isolation. “, said the ODH in a press release.
Related: Ohio reports 20,752 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday after clearing backlog
Going forward, schools will only need to report COVID-positive cases weekly.
Schools are not required to continue contact tracing and exposure notifications, but must assist local health departments in the event of an outbreak or cluster of cases of a new variant.
The ODH recommends that schools follow the “Mask to play, test to stay” protocol, which states that COVID-exposed students who are asymptomatic can still attend school, regardless of their vaccination status, if they wear a mask. mask, themselves or a parental monitor and if they start having symptoms isolate and test for COVID.
“The best place for children is in school, in person, full time,” the state health department memo said.
More information: Here’s how to get free COVID tests, N95 masks
The ODH said it will continue to adjust COVID recommendations in schools.
Mary Jane Sanese is an EW Scripps Fellow for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliate news outlets in Ohio.
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