Updates to COVID Outbreaks and Contact Protocols

May 27th, 2022

At the May 26 Board of Education meeting, Howard County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano announced several updates to guidelines during a COVID outbreak, and quarantining protocols for students and staff who are identified as outbreak contacts.

Responding to Outbreaks

Following consultation with the Howard County Health Department (HCHD), HCPSS is implementing two changes when a school experiences an outbreak, effective immediately:

• When a school or cohort has an outbreak, all students, staff and visitors at the outbreak school are strongly encouraged to always remain masked while indoors, except when eating or drinking. Students who are part of the outbreak will be required to mask for 10 days. Masks will be available at all schools for anybody who needs one.
• All students and staff who are part of an outbreak or who have been identified as outbreak contacts will be strongly encouraged to be tested. Families may contact the school to request test kits when they are needed.

Outbreak Contact Protocols

Also effective immediately, any student or staff member who is identified as part of an outbreak setting, not up-to-date on vaccines, and asymptomatic will be expected to test before coming to school. Testing is expected on day one after they are identified, again on day three, and then again on day five. Day one is defined as the day after exposure. Close contacts are not currently being identified outside of outbreaks.

As long as each test is negative, the individual may continue to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities. Anyone who tests positive or displays symptoms must follow isolation procedures.

Though students, staff, parents and guardians will not be asked to provide proof of testing to the school, it is critical that everybody strictly follow this new guidance to maintain a healthy school environment. Further, students and staff who are identified as part of that outbreak—regardless of vaccination status—will be required to remain masked in public settings for 10 days from the exposure.

These changes will help us maintain our goal of providing a healthy and safe learning environment for students and staff while also responding to the rising number of cases in our county.

At-Home COVID Test Kits

HCPSS received an additional 50,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits from the State and 5,000 from HCHD, which are being deployed to schools.

If an asymptomatic student is identified as part of an outbreak and is not up to date on their vaccines, a kit will be sent home with that student. Students identified as part of an outbreak who are exhibiting symptoms may be tested, with parent/guardian consent, at school and further guidance will be provided.

Families also may contact their child’s school to request test kits if needed. HCHD is providing free at-home kits, or families may use their own.