Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Isolation and Quarantine

Dear Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Families and Staff,

Yesterday, January 6, 2022, The Onondaga County Health Department along with the New York State Department of Health, updated their COVID-19 guidance for isolation and quarantine. As a result of these changes, the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship will now be adhering to the new guidelines set forth. Effective immediately those persons that need to be in isolation or quarantine will only need to do so for five days if they exhibit no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving. This includes no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and no lingering cough. Please note that loss of taste and or smell can last weeks and does not need to be resolved before returning. 

Updated guidance: http://www.ongov.net/health/documents/IsolationQuarantineGuidance.pdf

The five-day period for isolation and quarantine begins the day you first began to have symptoms. If you exhibit no symptoms at all, it begins the day you took your test. Keep in mind that if you still have symptoms after day five it is recommended that you continue to isolate until your symptoms have resolved. 

• Students and staff that are NOT vaccinated must quarantine for five full days when they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. A NEGATIVE TEST (RAPID OR PCR) DURING THEIR QUARANTINE DOES NOT GET THEM OUT OF THEIR QUARANTINE.
• Students and staff who are fully vaccinated and are eligible for their booster shot (5 months after second Pfizer vaccine or 6 months after second Moderna vaccine, or 2 months after Johnson and Johnson vaccine) AND HAVE RECEIVED THEIR BOOSTER, do not need to be quarantined. If they develop symptoms after exposure, they will need a negative test to return.
• Students and staff who are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for their booster shot (see eligibility in the above paragraph), will also not need to quarantine

If a person is in isolation or quarantine, please fill out the legal self-attestation forms for Onondaga County for self-release. Fill out the form and turn it in to the school when your child is ready to return. The forms can be found here: https://covid19.ongov.net/isolation-quarantine/

When a person returns to school after isolation and quarantine, please make sure they are wearing a well-fitted surgical face mask that fits closely to their face. 

We also want to remind parents to keep their children home if they exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html). The Onondaga County Department of Health says that If your child is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 they will need to be tested for covid-19 or receive an alternate diagnosis from their doctor before returning to school. Symptoms of COVID-19, the common cold, the flu, and many other viruses look the same, therefore almost impossible to tell apart without testing. Onondaga County has set up a testing site just for students and school employees. Here you can get a PCR test and have results usually within 24 hours. Information on this testing site can be found here: https://covid19.ongov.net/appointments/ 

Your support and patience during these confusing times are always greatly appreciated. Our student's health and safety are of utmost importance to us. Please reach out to your student school for any concerns or questions you may have. 

Sincerely, 
Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Administration