• DSC Students, Parents and Staff,

    On February 17, 2022, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) released new COVID-19 guidelines for schools. The guidelines are set to go into effect on Wednesday, February 23rd. DSC will incorporate the new IDOH guidelines into the COVID-19 Response Plan.

    • Contact Tracing
      • While universal case investigation and contact tracing during the initial phase of the pandemic was justified, public health experts agree this response is no longer optimal
      • In addition, the highest risk of transmission to others occurs prior to symptom onset and during the first few days of symptomatic illness - contact tracing usually occurs too late
      • As a result, IDOH no longer recommends contact tracing and quarantining in schools
        • Effective 2/23/22, DSC will no longer conduct contact tracing measures
    • Isolation
      • Positive for COVID-19
        • Everyone, regardless of vaccination status
          1. Stay home for 5 days
          2. Individuals who are in isolation may return to school on day 6 as long as they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and other symptoms have improved
          3. Individuals should wear a mask when around others at home, in public and at school for an additional 5 days (days 6-10)
    • Quarantine
      • Effective 2/23/22, Students and staff members exposed to COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status), no longer need to quarantine
      • Individuals who suspect a COVID-19 infection should
        • Get tested
        • Stay home when sick (isolate to protect others)
        • Rapidly notify their close contacts (if positive)
    • Case Notifications
      • IDOH recommends a shift from universal contact tracing, case investigation and exposure notification to a cluster or outbreak-based model
      • Schools no longer need to report any COVID-19 case information to IDOH or PCHD
      • Effective 2/23/22, DSC will update the COVID-19 Dashboard each Friday
        • Unless an outbreak occurs (when absenteeism reaches 10 percent for COVID-like illness)

    DSC appreciates your continued support of our schools as we work together to provide the best learning opportunities for our students.

    Sincerely,

    DSC Administration