Hamilton County Schools will continue to follow public health recommendations despite new guidance from the state, which says school districts can deem teachers essential workers in order to avoid quarantine after a COVID-19 exposure as long as they adhere to other safety measures.
People who come in close contact with someone with coronavirus are supposed to quarantine at home away from others and monitor their health for 14 days after their last contact with the COVID-19 case, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
The Hamilton County Health Department issued a news release on Tuesday warning residents that the 14-day quarantine period restarts anytime they come into contact with someone who has the coronavirus. Therefore, if people live with someone who is COVID-19 positive and they are unable to maintain social distance, or if other household members fall ill, the quarantine period could wind up lasting 24 days or more. These guidelines are based on the belief that people with COVID-19 are infectious for about 10 days, and it can take between two and 14 days for symptoms of a new infection to emerge.
“It is imperative to follow this guidance closely as the virus can be incubating during this timeframe. Leaving quarantine too soon can result in the spread of COVID-19,” according to the health department’s news release.
Tim Hensley, Hamilton County Department of Education spokesman, said in an email that “staff should be able to accommodate a 24-day quarantine” if the need arises.