Pasadena Unified School District (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)
In a letter to the community, Pasadena Unified Superintendent, Brian McDonald, announced that PUSD has received supply of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests which will allow the school district to adopt a less restrictive Quarantine Protocol so that students may return to in-person learning as soon as possible.
By News Desk
The new guidelines will maintain protective measures to continue reducing the risk of transmission in public schools and will take effect Monday, January 31, 2022.
Parents and students need to be aware that these changes do not affect Isolation Protocols for students who test positive for COVID-19.
Students who have COVID-19 must still isolate (stay in their home or other residence) for a period of at least 10 days. They may return to school if:
- 10 days have passed from the start of symptoms or the date of the positive test.
- No fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of medication.
- Other symptoms have improved.
For students who have been exposed to COVID-19 and are identified as close contacts, the Quarantine Procedures have changed. Fully vaccinated students are exempt from quarantine and can remain in school. Unvaccinated students who are identified as close contacts and directed to quarantine will now be allowed to return on Day 6 if at least 5 days have passed from their last known contact to the infectious case and they meet the following criteria: .
- Receive a negative result from an FDA-authorized viral COVID-19 test (rapid antigen or PCR) taken on Day 5 or later at the PUSD Primary Clinic (located at 351 S. Hudson, Pasadena, California 91109)
- Monitor for symptoms for 10 full days from the last known contact to the infectious case,
- Wear a non-cloth mask of multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire at all times when around others both indoors and outdoors,
- Eat outdoors when possible and at a distance from others.
Exposed persons who were previously infected with COVID-19 within the past 90 days are exempt from quarantine and can remain in school.
The revised PUSD Quarantine Protocol is an option for schools and is outlined in further detail in the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan Guidance in TK-12 Schools. The new guidelines are aligned to PPHD quarantine procedures and will shorten the time students are away from in-person learning. The school district will continue to monitor the spread of the Omicron variant and send updates as procedures change.
Source: PUSD
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