UPDATE: FTIS changes quarantine protocol following significant rise in cases districtwide

Because+of+a+rise+on+COVID-19+cases%2C+the+district+has+changed+quarantine+protocols+just+a+week+following+Winter+Break.+

Nathan Mueller

Because of a rise on COVID-19 cases, the district has changed quarantine protocols just a week following Winter Break.

Upon return from Winter Break on Jan. 2, students and parents received an email from the district detailing how FTIS changed their quarantine protocols to a shortened time, and an early masked return. 

However, last Friday, the district changed their protocols again.  Now, there is a 10 day quarantine from the test day or onset of symptoms for a student who tests positive.

This move comes in response to a rise in cases over the past week. As of Monday morning, there are 117 positive cases and 98 quarantines districtwide. 

Household family members,  regardless of vaccination status, must now quarantine for 10 days after the positive household member has recovered. 

According to the FTIS Healthy at Schools website, a person is considered recovered when they are fever free for one day without fever reducing medication, any symptoms are improving and it has been at least ten days from their first symptoms.

The 7-day average went from just 79 per 100,000 in Campbell County Kentucky on Dec. 31 to just over 270 on Jan. 9. In the 41075 zip code, that number is 339 per 100,000.  

Listed symptoms or exclusion criteria include, “Fever is greater than 100.4 or chills New uncontrolled cough, Shortness of breath, Muscle or body aches, Difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea or Exposure to a COVID-19 case.” 

The district “will re-evaluate our re-entry protocol for positive cases and household exposures at the end of the month or following this current spike in our community,” according to the email sent to families. 

For more information, please visit the district’s Healthy at Schools website.