COVID-19 Update – August 25, 2021
Masks
As of today (August 25, 2021), we have had an increasing number of COVID-19 positive students within our schools resulting in almost 100 students quarantined. Without masks worn by non-vaccinated individuals, we are quarantining large numbers of students and potentially entire classrooms. To avoid remote learning and closing schools, effective Thursday, August 26, 2021:
· Students and staff, not vaccinated, will be required to wear a mask indoors on Hardy County School properties while the school day is in session.
· Students and staff will not be required to wear a mask if a copy of their vaccination record is provided to the school office.
· Attendance at extra-curricular events by spectators is voluntary. When indoors, we ask that our families and community spectators be respectful of others and follow all recommended mitigation strategies, including wearing a mask if not vaccinated.
For the 2021-2022 school year, the following preventative measures are in place:
· Hand sanitizer stations in all areas of the schools
· Sanitizer wipes available in each classroom and each area of the building
· Air filtration systems that are designed to kill COVID-19 as well as other air-borne viruses
· Routine cleaning of classrooms and buses
· Masks provided for students and staff
· COVID-19 quick tests offered for staff and students on site by school-based health centers (with permission only)
· School-based health centers that can diagnose and treat student and staff medical needs (with permission only)
· Continued COVID-19 vaccination clinics and, if recommended, COVID-19 booster clinics (with permission only)
We ask that students and staff stay home from school and consult their physician if they show any signs of illness, including, but not limited to the following:
· Fever of 100.4 or higher
· Aches or chills
· Nausea and/or vomiting
· Coughing or wheezing
· Sore throat
Quarantine Protocol
The Hardy County Health Department will work in collaboration with Hardy County Schools to determine close contacts of individuals that test positive for COVID-19. The quarantine period for non-vaccinated individuals and those not wearing a mask is determined by the Hardy County Health Department based upon current state guidelines. Students that are quarantined will be given assignments to complete for their time out of school. This could include both written and online assignments.
Current protocols are subject to change based upon Hardy County’s transmission levels as reported by WV DHHR, Hardy County Health Department guidelines, WV Department of Education guidelines, as well as federal or state mandates.