FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes, the quarantine period for close contact begins the last day of contact with the positive person.  Any time a new household member tests positive for Covid and you/your child have been a close contact, you/your child will need to restart quarantine period.  Once the isolation period for the postive person ends, any close contacts can then utilize the return after 7-day option with a negative test on day 5, 6 or 7 or return after 10-day option.  

No, your child does not have to quarantine.  Per MSDH, individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms.  Proof of positive test from a health care provider is required. 

No, your child does not have to quarantine.  Per MSDH, individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to quarantine if exposed to a postive Covid-19 case unless they become symptomatic.  Fully vaccinated persons do not have to quarantine after exposure, but it is recommended that they get tested.  Proof of vaccination is required. 

Students may present their vaccination card as proof of vaccination.  If you do not have a card for your child, you may access it online at https://myirmobile.com. Proof of Covid-positive test from your health care provider is also acceptable.   

No, exposure to exposure is not considered a close contact and does not require quarantine.  However, you should always monitor your child for symptoms. 

Not necessarily.  Teachers who are vaccinated do not have to quarantine after exposure unless they become symptomatic.  As essential personnel, teachers who are not vaccinated and who do not develop symptoms, may also continue to report to their classroom to offer virtual and/or in-person instruction while wearing a mask and maintaining 3 to 6 feet of distance.  Teachers will also self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. 

Exclusion When Sick: Teachers who are sick will not report to school until they are fever and/or symptom free for 24 hours.  

If your child tests positive for Covid-19 or if your child is identified as a close contact to a Covid-positive case OUTSIDE of the school environment, please complete the form at the link below and a school nurse will contact you. Please do NOT bring your child to school if he/she has tested positive for Covid OR if he/she is exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 following close contact exposure. Please do not send your child to school while waiting for the results of a Covid-test. If you have multiple children, this form will need to be completed for each student impacted.

https://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/parent-reporting-form

If your child tests positive for Covid-19 or if your child is identified as a close contact to a Covid-positive case OUTSIDE of the school environment, please complete the form at the link below and a school nurse will contact you. Please do NOT bring your child to school if he/she has tested positive for Covid OR if he/she is exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 following close contact exposure. Please do not send your child to school while waiting for the results of a Covid-test. If you have multiple children, this form will need to be completed for each student impacted.

https://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/parent-reporting-form

Your child should be symptom and fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication before returning to school from any illness.  If your child tests positive for flu, strep or another illness, your child's doctor should provide medical documentation for your child's return to school.  

Per the Mississippi State Department of Health, the current definition of close contact exposure to a Covid-positive case in a classroom setting is 15 minutes of cumulative contact over a 24-hour period at less than 3 feet if both individuals are wearing masks/face coverings.  

In a non classroom setting, MSDH definies close contact as 15 minutes of cumulative contact over a 24-hour period at less than 6 feet.  

An infected person can spread Covid-19 up to 2 days before they have symptoms or 2 days prior to a positive test if they do not have symptoms.  When close contact occurs at school, students who were exposed up to 2 days (48 hours) prior to onset of symptoms or date of positive test are identified and parents are notified of close contact exposure.  

Students are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of the vaccine. 

Students who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine if identified as a close contact.  

Students who are required to quarantine/isolate due to a Covid-positive test or close contact are considered excused from school with proper documentation from a health care provider.  Students who do not provide proper documentation will make considered unexcused.  Unexcused absences are reported to the school attendance officer.  

If your student was exposed at school as a close contact, the school will provide documentation for excused abasences during quarantine.  Students who are quarantined are expected to participate in class virtually.  

Any medical documenation from a health care provider can be turned in for attendance.  If your child is a close contact to a Covid-positive individual, your child is allowed to turn in documentation from the person they were exposed to as an acceptable excuse for their quarantine period. 

No, a negative test is not required to return to school after an isolation or quarantine period. 

The MSDH recommends a 10-14 day quarantine period when there is an outbreak, which is three or more postive cases in a classroom.  

When the school is made aware of Covid-positive case(s) in the school setting, parents of students impacted by the Covid-positive case will be notified via letter, phone call or email depending on the level of exposure.  Low risk contacts will likely received a low risk letter or email.  High risk contacts, which are considered close contacts, should receive a phone call explaining that the child/student doesn't need to return to school the next because he/she is quarantined due to close contact exposure.  Parents of students who are at school when identified as a high risk close contact will be contacted via phone and asked to pick up their child from school.  

No, a negative test is not required to return to school after a student isolates for 10 days following a Covid-positive test.