North Carolina health officials update quarantine and contact tracing guidelines for K-12 schools

RALEIGH, NC (WECT) – The StrongSchoolsNC public health toolkit was updated Thursday by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to eliminate contract research and update quarantine requirements.

Due to vaccinations, changes in transmission rates, shorter incubation periods, and lower case rates of COVID-19, contract tracing efficiency in K-12 schools has declined and no is no longer necessary.

For the most part, children exposed to COVID-19 no longer need to be excluded from school, unless they show symptoms or test positive; however, exclusion is required in the following cases:

• Positive antigen test with no symptoms and no known contact with COVID-19 – Perform PCR test within 24-48 hours. If negative, the individual can return to school. If positive, the individual can return 5 days after the first positive test as long as symptoms do not develop, but must mask for an additional 5 days unless waived. Documentation of negative test to be returned not required.
• Positive PCR test without symptoms – The individual can return to school 5 days after a positive test, as long as symptoms do not develop. Obligation to hide for 5 more days, unless exempted. Documentation of negative test to be returned not required.
• Positive PCR test with symptoms – Individual can return to school 5 days after first symptoms, but at least 24 hours after fever stops and symptoms improve. Obligation to wear a mask for 10 more days, unless exempted. Documentation of negative test to be returned not required.
• The person has symptoms but has not been tested and is presumed positive – The person can return to school 5 days after the first symptoms, but at least 24 hours after the fever stops. Obligation to wear a mask for 10 days after the first symptoms, unless exempted. Documentation of negative test not required.
• The person has symptoms but has tested negative – The person can return to school at least 24 hours after they start to feel well and the fever stops.

Notification of potential exposure is recommended. In the event of an exposure notice, these recommendations apply.

“Wear a properly fitted mask for 10 days after last known exposure, unless a face covering waiver applies; be tested immediately if symptomatic, and on day 5 after exposure, unless the person has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days. If school-wide notification is made, at least weekly testing is recommended.

No changes have been made to the general mask guidelines other than to refer people to the CDC’s Mask Guide.

ToolKit advice for all schools: “Require all children and staff in K-12 schools to wear masks consistently when indoors in areas of high or substantial transmission, such as as defined by the CDC. This also includes public transport.

The updates go into effect on February 21, 2022.

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