Updated January 10, 2022
Dear HCSD Families:
Effective January 7, 2022, the Hudson City School District adopted new isolation and quarantine protocols in partnership with our county health department. This change aligns with updated guidance from the New York State Health Department issued on January 4 that initially applied to essential workers only. It also aligns with updated recommendations from the CDC. These changes supersede previous guidance and protocols listed in our school opening plan published in September 2021.
Moving forward, all identified cases of COVID-19 will follow the updated guidance below.
ISOLATION – Specific to someone who has tested COVID-19 positive
The following procedures apply to students and staff who tested positive for COVID-19 using a home test kit or through a lab administered test, including those who are currently under an isolation order (meaning students may be returned sooner than the original 10 days):
- Notify the school of the positive test result as soon as possible (for any type of test performed – lab or at home)
- Isolate for 5 complete days:
- See How to Isolate
- Day 1 of isolation starts the day after symptoms begin OR the day after the student was tested (if they do/did not have symptoms). For example, if symptoms begin on Sunday then the first full day of isolation is Monday (Day 1) and the individual must isolate through Friday (Day 5).
- Ending isolation:
- After 5 complete days, if they continue to have no symptoms.
- After 5 complete days, if their symptoms are resolving and they do not have a fever for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.
- If they have a fever, they must continue to stay home until their fever has resolved for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- After leaving isolation, continue to wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 5 additional days.
- Individuals who are medically excused for being unable to wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after a 5-day isolation should follow the standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
- Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
See this isolation and quarantine guidance quick guide
QUARANTINE – Specific to someone who has not tested positive but was determined to be a close contact of someone who tested positive
The following procedures apply to students and staff who were exposed to COVID-19 (but have not tested positive):
- If not fully vaccinated: Quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days after quarantine ends.
- If fully vaccinated: NO quarantine is required but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
- If possible, test at Day 5 with either a nucleic acid amplification test (e.g., NAAT, PCR) or antigen test.
- If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. In this situation, quarantine would end when the test is negative. If testing is not done, isolate according to the isolation guidance above.
See this isolation and quarantine guidance quick guide
Children ages 12 to 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer booster shots. Please visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ for more information or to find a vaccine and booster site near you. You may also visit the county health department website for any location options available.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the changing guidance impacting our schools. As always, we communicate any changes after they have been discussed with and approved by our local department of health. Thank you for your cooperation.