COVID-19 TESTS AND LOCAL TESTING SITES

DPS TESTING INFORMATION - COMING SOON

What are the different tests for COVID-19?

If you want to know if you are currently infected with the COVID virus, there are two types of tests: molecular tests and antigen tests. Molecular tests (also called RT-PCR tests, viral RNA tests, nucleic acid tests) detect disease by looking for traces of the virus’ genetic material on a sample most often collected via a nose or throat swab. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers PCR tests the “gold standard” of COVID-19 testing. It may take 2-7 days to get results from molecular test. Antigen tests identify protein fragments (antigens) that live on the virus' surface.

If you want to know if you have had a past infection with COVID-19 virus, you can have a blood test to look for antibodies produced by the body’s immune system in response to the infection. A blood test cannot tell you if you have a current infection, however, it can accurately identify past infection. Research suggests antibody levels may wane over just a few months. And while a positive antibody test proves you’ve been exposed to the virus, it’s not yet known whether such results indicate a lack of contagiousness or long-lasting, protective immunity.

What type of test - an RT-PCR test or an antigen test should I request?

Each type of test has it's advantages and drawbacks. Please consult your medical provider about which test is best for you. A positive test result requires a 10-day quarantine, regardless of close contact or symptoms. In general, all close contacts who are not vaccinated (individuals who have been within 6 feet for 15 minutes) will be required to quarantine for 7 days, with no symptoms and a negative test on post-exposure day 5 or later. For students in a masked school setting, only those who are not vaccinated AND have been within 3 feet of an infected individual are considered close contacts.

What if I test positive but I didn't have a close contact and I don't have any symptoms?

If you test positive, without symptoms or exposure, you are considered a POSITIVE CASE and are required to ISOLATE for 10 days. Anyone who is a close contact should be notified and instructed to quarantine for a minimum of 7 days and seek testing on post-exposure day 5 or later.

What if a child on my child's soccer team tests positive and I am notified that my child is a "close contact?" What about my other children?

Your child is a "close contact" and required to quarantine at home for 7 days (with testing on post-exposure day 5 or later), monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, consult your medical provider and seek testing. If your child tests negative, they must continue to quarantine for a full 7 days from exposure. Your other children are considered a "contact of a contact" and do not need to quarantine and may attend school.

If your child tests positive, they must isolate for 10 days and all other unvaccinated household members must quarantine for a minimum of 7 days from date of last contact with the infected family member. Determining the quarantine dates for household contacts can be challenging. Your school nurse can help determine when household contacts are able to return to school and outside activities.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Physical distancing, also referred to as social distancing, is a strategy used to separate individuals to lower the probability that a person either infects someone else or becomes infected by someone else.

Where feasible, a 6 foot distancing strategy will be implemented for faculty and staff.

For the classroom, students will be spaced by 3 feet and masked. Faculty and staff will have a 6 foot distance, as feasible, in classrooms and throughout the building.

I've noticed a lack of social distancing in the community, especially at parties and play dates. Why are you distancing students in school? What about the bus?

Physical distancing is an important strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, where feasible. The Darien Public Schools Safe Return Plan maximizes physical distance, as feasible. We will continue to encourage all members of our community to practice proper distancing in all settings, not just while they are in school. Adhering to this practice will help decrease the spread of illness, which in turn, will keep our school doors open.

The number of students riding the school bus present several challenges for schools. Distancing will be maximized as possible and masks must be worn. Students are not permitted to eat or drink while on the bus.

Transportation

The safe arrival and departure of students is critical to COVID-19 containment and daily school operations. The District conducted a survey asking parents if they plan to opt-out of bus transportation to reduce ridership and support social distancing. Those parents who opt their student(s) out would find an alternate means of transportation for their children, but would have the ability to opt back into bus transportation upon request to the transportation department.

For families who are eligible and opt for bus transportation, buses will operate at near full capacity to start the school year with all students and drivers required to wear face masks while riding the bus. Each bus will be equipped with face masks should students not have one upon arrival. Face masks are to remain in place for the duration of the bus ride.

SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT and EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

• Fever > 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)
• New and persistent cough, with or without shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Chills, fatigue and muscle aches

What will happen if a child in my daughter's class is diagnosed with COVID-19?

When a case of COVID-19 is reported to the school, the building level response team will follow the District Notification Plan and begin school-level contact tracing. This process will include verifying the diagnosis, consulting with the Darien Department of Health and DPS Medical Advisor. The school nurse and building administrator will examine all areas (in school and on buses) where close contact could have occurred in the 48 hours prior to the onset of the student's symptoms. Parents of unvaccinated students and staff members who are considered close contacts, will be notified by email message to begin a 7-day quarantine and symptom watch period at home. A negative COVID test obtained on post-exposure day 5 will be required to return to school after a full 7-day quarantine.

The email message will contain quarantine and testing instructions. Students will transition to an online learning format for the duration of quarantine. While at home during quarantine, should your child develop COVID-19 symptoms develop, please call your health care provider for evaluation and testing.

The District Level Response Team will consult with the District Medical Advisor and Director of the Darien Health Department about further building or district level actions and communications.

(This answer is subject to change based on anticipated guidance from the State Department of Health Department and State Department of Education)

How many cases of COVID-19 will force the schools to close? How long will schools be closed?

The decision to close a classroom, a school, or the entire school district will be made in close consultation with the District Medical Advisor and Director of the Darien Health Department, and state health and education officials. The District Level Response Team will be following regional (state and county), local (town) and hyper-local (individual school and classroom) data on a daily basis. A decision to close, and subsequently reopen schools, will be informed by considering the following metrics, however, a change in one metric may or may not force action for the district.

• Full district, individual school and classroom absentee data (kept by nurses and shared with school medical advisory team daily)
• Dismissal data
• Local, county and state infection rates and 7-day averages
• Regional hospitalization rates

If I keep my child home because they are not feeling well, or because the family needs to quarantine, do they need to be “sick” from school or can they participate in class activities remotely?

Unfortunately, children get sick. In fact, the average child can have 5-10 colds per year. We generally do not provide work when children are home due to illness. Allowing children the time to rest and recover is important. Students can catch up on school work when they are feeling better.

If a child is home due to quarantine and is still able to do school work, they can participate remotely in class activities for the days they are asked to remain home from school. In this instance, please do not call your child out “sick. This will ensure our attendance records are accurate and helps our School Nurses keep track of students not physically present.