LETTER TO FAMILIES SENT ON JANUARY 12, 2022

Dear Rye Neck Families,

Late yesterday, the Westchester County Department of Health issued a partial authorization of recent guidance from the New York State Department of Health.  This clarification relates to the CDC guidelines for isolation.

In summary, isolation time for those with COVID-19 has been reduced to 5 days, with some extra rules. Quarantine time for those who were exposed is in the process of being clarified by the WCDOH, but we will advise you when we receive new information.  We will also be sending information regarding “Test to Stay” shortly.  This is the information we received from the WCDOH:

Students, teachers, and staff who test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms should isolate for at least 5 days. Day 0 is the day of the positive viral test (based on the date of testing) and day 1 is the first full day after the specimen was collected for the positive test.

• If they continue to have no symptoms, they can end isolation after at least 5 days.
  
  
• They should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until day 10 (day 6 through day 10). If they are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate for 10 days.
  
  
• If they develop symptoms after testing positive, the 5-day isolation period should start over. Day 0 is the first day of symptoms. Follow the recommendations above for ending isolation for people who had COVID-19 and had symptoms.

People who have COVID-19 and have or had symptoms should isolate for at least 5 days. To calculate the 5-day isolation period, day 0 is the first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after their symptoms developed.

• They can end isolation after 5 full days if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved (loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation).
  
  
• They should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of their 5-day isolation period. If they are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate for 10 days.
  
  
• If they continue to have fever or other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, they should wait to end isolation until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their other symptoms have improved. They should continue to wear a well-fitting mask and contact their healthcare provider with questions.

We will act on this immediately.  However, please understand that we must verify each student’s isolation start date and conditions in order to conclude an end to the isolation period.  Students will only be permitted back into school after we communicate with families and they receive confirmation from the district.   

Best regards,

Eric Lutinski, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools