Sep 04, 2020

Health Department clarifies policy for schools on COVID-19 tracing

Posted Sep 04, 2020 9:53 AM

Release from Reno County Health Department

As schools have resumed in-person classes, school districts within Reno County and the Reno County Health Department continue to work together in keeping employees and students safe and well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the event a student or employee is identified as laboratory confirmed COVID-19 positive; the school will assist in identifying all close contacts of the COVID-19 person. If the close contact is a student, the student will either be sent home and parents will be notified OR the parents will be contacted to pick up their child to quarantine while waiting for the Reno County Health Department to call with additional information regarding their quarantine. The same quarantine guidance also applies to all teachers and staff if they are identified as a close contact.

The purpose of contact tracing is to interrupt the ongoing transmission of COVID-19 and reduce the spread of the virus. By identifying close contacts of those with COVID-19 we are able to continue to keep everyone safe, slow down the spread of the virus, and continue to keep our schools open.

Although you may ā€œfeel fineā€ during your quarantine; it is extremely important for all close contacts to fully follow the quarantine guidelines set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Reno County Health Department. Symptoms may appear and you could be considered contagious anywhere from 2-14 days after you were last exposed to the virus. If at any time during your quarantine you start to develop symptoms it is encouraged to contact your medical provider.

We are all in this together and it will take each of us doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to be vigilant by washing your hands, social distance by at least six feet or more, wear a mask when you are in public places and stay at home if you are not feeling well. It is very important that people continue to follow the guidelines to help decrease the spread of COVID-19.