12/03/2020
Late yesterday, ECSD received official notification from Sarah Strohman at Palo Alto Community Health that the CDC had revised its guidance for persons who were in quarantine due to contact with a positive case of COVID-19. The previous guidance was that the quarantine was for a period of 14 days beginning from the day of the last contact with the positive case.
Revised CDC Guidance
Quarantine for direct contact with a positive case of COVID-19 can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.
It is possible to reduce the quarantine to 7 days with a negative test collected no earlier than day 5 following contact. Individuals will need to secure their own testing, likely either through their own healthcare provider or Test Iowa (IDPH will NOT be scheduling testing or identifying testing locations).
Anyone currently in quarantine for direct contact with a positive case of COVID-19, can adopt this new guidance that becomes effective immediately.
We will be working today to notify those who are currently in quarantine of their new date to return to work/school.
Darren D. Hanna
Superintendent of Schools
Emmetsburg Community School District