COVID-19 Isolation vs Quarantine FAQs
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How long does my child have to be in isolation if he or she has COVID-19?
The isolation period begins at the date of the onset of symptoms or a positive test is received, as determined by the district COVID-19 Response Team, not the point of notification of a positive test. To see the difference between isolation and quarantine, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID-19-Quarantine-vs-Isolation.pdf.
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How are close contacts determined and notified?
COVID-19 Case Managers investigate each case and interview active positives to determine close contacts. Class lists, seating charts and other mechanisms are used to determine who has been in close proximity to an active case. Those who are determined to be a close contact of an active case will receive a separate notification from a school or building administrator. If you do not receive this notification, it means you or your child are not a close contact. As a reminder, a close contact is defined as:
- Being within 6 feet of someone for 15 minutes (cumulative) with or without wearing a mask, including eating in the same room less than 6 feet apart; or
- Having direct physical contact, touching, hugging or kissing; or
- Having an infected individual cough or sneeze on you.
To protect the HIPAA medical privacy rights of these individuals, as well as our COVID-19 active cases, CISD cannot share who is a close contact. -
My child has been notified as being a close contact, how long is the quarantine period?
The quarantine period is 10 days from the last day of exposure. This day of exposure is day zero, and counting begins on the following day. The notification from your school administration will tell you the time of quarantine and the date your child can return to school. To see the difference between isolation and quarantine, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID-19-Quarantine-vs-Isolation.pdf.
10-Day Quarantine Details:- For asymptomatic individuals
- No testing is required
- May return to school/work on day 11
- Must continue to monitor for symptoms through day 14
- Must continue to wear a mask through day 14. CISD has mask requirements outlined in the Return to School Guide.
- If symptoms develop, must isolate for 10 days
*The 14-day quarantine option still remains for those who wish to use it. -
I am a close contact of someone in quarantine, do I have to quarantine?
No. Close contacts of those in quarantine do not have to quarantine. Only those who are close contacts of an active COVID-19 case are in quarantine. For example, if student A is an active case and student B is defined as a close contact, student B is in quarantine. Those who are close contacts of student B do not quarantine.
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I have been in quarantine before due to an exposure to an active case. Do I have to quarantine again?
Yes, any time a child is exposed to an active COVID-19 case as defined by being a close contact, you must quarantine.
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My child has previously had COVID-19, does he or she have to quarantine?
CISD follows Dallas County Health and Human Services and CDC guidelines which states there is no need to quarantine if the illness occurred within the past 90 days. You must share the lab results with the district. We do not accept antibody tests, because these are not always specific for SARS-CoV-2 and can pick up other related antibodies.
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Can my child participate in remote learning during isolation or quarantine?
Yes, as long as they are healthy enough to participate, they can learn remotely during isolation or quarantine.
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Can I switch my child from in person to remote learning due to COVID-19 concerns?
Yes. You must reach out to your child’s principal or assistant principal to request and receive approval for this change.
