Off-campus Isolation and Quarantine Protocols

January, 25, 2022

Oldfields School is considered a congregate setting. As a result, we continue to take serious steps to mitigate risk of exposure in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus and beyond and to remain an in-person learning environment. While each case is reviewed independently, below are the specific protocols we adhere to when a student tests positive, has been in direct contact with a person who has tested positive in their home or dorm, or presents with symptoms.

Isolation occurs when a student tests positive for COVID-19 or is highly suspected of having COVID-19.

• The campus emergency departure plan is activated, requiring the student to depart from campus as soon as possible within the following 24 hours after activation.
• The student is placed in the Health Annex until they depart from campus.
• The student must stay at home for a full 10 days. Day 1 begins the day after the first symptom was reported. If no symptoms, day one begins the day after the COVID-19 test was taken. 
• The student may return on day 11 with resolved or reduced symptoms and a note from the student’s primary care provider stating that they are free of communicable disease and safe to return to a congregate setting.
• If a day student is isolated due to presenting with symptoms, but has had no known exposure to COVID-19, the student must have clearance from their primary care provided to rule out other illnesses such as flu, strep throat, etc. If the student receives a diagnosis other than COVID-19, they may be able to return to campus earlier. 

Quarantine occurs when a student has direct exposure to COVID-19 at School such as when a roommate tests positive for COVID-19 or a student reports that they have had prolonged contact with a COVID-19 positive community member.

• The campus emergency departure plan is activated, requiring the student to depart from campus as soon as possible within the following 24 hours after activation.
• The student must stay at home for a full 10 days. Day 1 begins the day after their last exposure to the Covid-19 positive community member.
• The student should obtain a PCR test on day 5, 6, or 7.
• If the student’s results are negative, they may return to school on day 11. The negative PCR test results should be emailed to the Health Center and the parent/guardian must confirm that the student has not experienced any symptoms of illness during the previous 10 days.
• If the student experiences an onset of symptoms after they received a negative PCR test, the parent/guardian must obtain direction from their primary care provider regarding if the student should return to school on day 11 or whether they should extend their quarantine. 

Quarantine occurs when someone in the student’s home has tested positive for COVID-19 or is suspected positive for COVID-19.

• The student should not report to School. The parent/guardian must email the Health Center or COVIDconcern@Oldfieldsschool.org. 
• The student  must stay home for a full 10 days. Day one begins the day after their last exposure to the confirmed or suspected COVID positive person in the home. The student should be separated from the positive member in the home. 
• The  student should obtain a PCR test on day 5, 6, or 7.
• If the student’s results are negative, they may return to school on day 11. The negative PCR test results should be emailed to the Health Center and the parent/guardian must confirm that the student has not experienced any symptoms of illness during the previous 10 days.
• If the student experiences an onset of symptoms after the PCR test is administered, the parent/guardian must obtain direction from their primary care provider regarding if the student should return to school on day 11 or whether they should extend their quarantine. 

Helpful Reminders

Any student returning from a break or holiday who is not feeling well or who lives with someone that  is experiencing symptoms of illness should not report back to School and should notify the health center for further instructions.

Students who are placed in quarantine by the School will be contacted by Director of Academics for details on an academic plan during the quarantine.

Close contacts who do not live with or share a dorm room with someone who tests positive or is suspected of COVID-19 will not be required to isolate. However, the student must report any cold-like symptoms to the health center immediately.  Boarding students may be required to receive a PCR test on day 5, 6, or 7.

A confirmatory PCR test is always required after a negative rapid test.  For local families, PM Pediatrics in Timonium  has a 24 hour PCR test. Parents should verify that insurance will cover this test.

Please reach out to COVIDconcerns@OldfieldsSchool.org if you  have any questions about the above or any of our health and safety protocols.