ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The state rolled out new guidance on how long infected students will need to stay out of school and exactly what criteria they have to meet before returning.
Superintendent Barbara Jenkins said parents should not ask teachers, principals or the district about the guidelines because they are coming from the state department of health.
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First, a child who tests positive can return to school when they have no symptoms for at least 24 hours without medication – and with a negative test.
“A student can also return to school after 10 days from being diagnosed,” said Dr. Raul Pino, from the health office.
The student can also go back if they receive a note from their doctor attesting that the child is ready to return.
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If a student has been exposed but has no symptoms, they can be tested on the fourth day of quarantine and come back the next day if the test is negative.
“Meaning, at least a child who is in contact with a positive confirmed case will be at least in quarantine for four days. after that, they can have a test and then come back to school if that test is negative,” Pino said.
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Pino said if the student is not tested, they can return after seven days, as long as they are asymptomatic.
Pino also said if a student has been in contact with a positive case, but they’ve had COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are not showing symptoms, they don’t have to quarantine because they have some level of natural immunity.
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“We want the student to be in class and we want parents to go back to work. so, I think the guidance provides for both,” he said.
Pino says contact tracing for students and teachers will be a priority over other cases in the community.
He also said they’re waiting on approval to provide COVID-19 testing in the schools.
