Students and staff with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and take a test . If the test is negative, you may return to school.
For people with symptoms, a PCR test or a second rapid test after 48 hours is recommended to confirm the negative result. Masks are strongly recommended for anyone with active respiratory symptoms.
Students and staff who test positive, regardless of vaccination status, must notify their school, and must stay home for at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms. If no symptoms are present, you must still stay home for at least 5 days after the day of the positive test result. You may return to school starting on day 6 if symptoms are improving and no fever is present for at least 24 hours; however; masks must be worn on days 6-10.
Staff and students who have no symptoms but have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, (eg. household member), may stay in school if no symptoms are present, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC recommends wearing a face covering for 10 days after exposure. You should take a COVID-19 test on day 6, and if you develop any symptoms.
MCPS families will be informed of an outbreak in their student’s classroom or activity. Students may stay in school if no symptoms are present. Additional guidance will be provided based on the situation. Masks may be required for up to 10 days to help reduce further transmission.
Masking is not mandatory in most situations for staff or students. The exceptions are: 1) students and staff diagnosed with COVID-19 who are returning to school, on days 6-10; and 2) students and staff in a classroom or activity with an outbreak (masking may be required temporarily, for up to 10 days, to prevent further transmission in the classroom). School leaders may strongly recommend masking if there is a high rate of COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses in a school to prevent further spread.
At-home Covid-19 test kits are provided for students and staff by MCPS schools in certain situations depending on community risk. These include local outbreaks, or following holiday travel during longer school breaks, depending on current community risk. Students evaluated for COVID-19 symptoms in the school health room may receive a rapid test kit for use at home.