Covid-19 Response

It’s hard having a sick kid, but it’s important to keep them home from school until they get better. Get them tested if they have any COVID symptoms, may be a close contact, or have taken part in activities that could put them at risk. http://healthvermont.gov/testing

Here are some local sites that offer COVID testing for FREE:

• DHMC COVID hotline number (603-650-1818) for information
• Alice Peck Day Hospital  (603-442-5665)    https://www.alicepeckday.org/services/covid19communitytesting
• VT Health Department https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing/where-get-tested  (the fire station in Fairlee, VT is the closest location of the Vermont Health Department testing sites -- they accept walk-ins or you can make an appointment on the website; their hours are Mon,Wed,Thur, Sat, & Sun 9 AM - Noon and Tues & Fri 4 PM - 6 PM)
• Mt. Ascutney Hospital  (802-674-7300, option 4)
• Gifford Hospital (802-728-7000)
• Valley Regional Hospital (603-542-7771, M-F 11 AM - 5 PM)

COVID-19 Update

January 17, 2022

Hello Hartford,

Effective immediately, the Hartford School District will be using the COVID Response Protocol as outlined below. 

COMMUNICATION
When a school learns of an individual who has tested positive for COVID, anyone in the classroom will be considered to have had an exposure.  A general communication will go out notifying of a presumptive exposure in the affected classroom(s).  A message will also go out to schools notifying of the total number of COVID cases in a given day per building.

MASKING
Universal masking is required for anyone while inside any Hartford School District Buildings.  Masks must be at least 2 layers, fit properly, and be worn over the mouth and nose.  Masks are not required when outdoors unless an individual is directed to wear one as outlined in the guidance below.

GUIDANCE FOLLOWING AN EXPOSURE
Antigen test kits will be made available to anyone notified of an exposure to use as outlined below: *As directed by the Agency of Education, schools will not monitor compliance of kit pick up or use of kits.

IF YOU:

• Had a booster shot OR
• Completed your Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series within the last 6 months OR
• Received your Johnson & Johnson vaccination within the last 2 months OR
• Are 5-17yrs old, currently enrolled in a K-12 school and have completed your Pfizer vaccine series

You DO NOT need to quarantine.

YOU MUST:

• Wear a mask when around others for 10 days.
• Get tested with a PCR test 5-7 days following your last date of exposure.  You can also use antigen tests on days 4 and then 5 following your last exposure.
  • If any test is positive, stay home and notify your school nurse.
• Take a test at any time if you develop symptoms and stay home until you get your test result.

IF YOU:

• Are not vaccinated OR
• Are 18yrs or older and completed your Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series greater than 6 months ago and have not had a booster dose OR
• Received your Johnson & Johnson vaccine greater than 2 months ago and have not had a booster dose

YOU MUST:

• Use an antigen test each morning before coming to school for 5 consecutive days.  You may come to school if your test is negative.  
  • If any test is positive, stay home and notify your school nurse.
• Take a test at any time if you develop symptoms and stay home until you get your test result.  

IF YOU:
Have continuous household exposure:

• Fully Vaccinated Individuals:  test daily every 3-5 days while the household contact is in isolation and for 5 consecutive days after they end their isolation.
• Unvaccinated Individuals:  test daily while the household contact is in isolation and for 5 consecutive days after they end their isolation.

If testing is not done as outlined above, the unvaccinated individual who has been exposed MUST complete a 10 day quarantine from their last date of exposure.  They may also do a single PCR test on/after day 5 and end their quarantine with a negative result.

IF YOU:
Have had a confirmed case of COVID within the last 90 days:

• You do not need to quarantine if you don't have symptoms.
• Wear a mask around others for 10 days. 
• If you develop any symptoms, you must then stay home and have 2 negative antigen tests taken 24hrs apart before returning to school.

ISOLATION FOLLOWING A POSITIVE TEST
If you have a positive antigen or PCR test, let your school nurse know; they must report positive cases to the VT Department of Health.  Use the following guidance regardless of vaccination status:

• Stay home and isolate for 5 days.
• You can end isolation on day 5 IF
  • You have 2 negative antigen tests taken 24hrs apart starting no earlier than Day 4 AND
  • You never had symptoms or any symptoms are significantly improved AND
  • You have not had a fever for 24hrs without the use of fever reducing medications AND
  • You wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Notify your close contacts that you have tested positive.
• If you DO NOT meet the criteria above, you MUST isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started or from the date of your test if you never had symptoms in order to end your isolation.

ILLNESS
If anyone, regardless of vaccination status, develops ANY symptom(s) (see list below) they must stay home AND get tested for COVID. 

List of symptoms (regardless of severity):

Cough                                                    Nausea
Shortness of breath                               Vomiting
Fever                                                     Diarrhea
Sore throat                                            Loss of taste or smell
Runny/stuffy nose                                 Muscle aches
Headache                                              Fatigue

If symptoms begin while at school, the student or staff member must be sent home as soon as possible, and the individual should be isolated from other staff and students until they can leave. The school nurse can do a PCR test prior to leaving if consent has been completed.  A 2 pack antigen test kit can also be provided for use at home.  Individuals must stay home until test results are received.  If they test negative (1 PCR/LAMP test or 2 antigen tests 24hrs apart) for COVID-19 they can return to school when symptoms improve and they are fever free for 24 hours.

If a student is not in attendance due to illness, a parent/guardian may pick up a test kit from the school.

TESTING
Each building will develop a process for antigen test kit distribution following notification of a COVID case in school.  A staff member will be identified to hand out tests.  Parents will need to report to this person the number of kits needed based on their child's vaccination status (fully vaccinated will need a total of 2 tests, unvaccinated will need a total of 5 tests).  Tests can be distributed to students or picked up by parents.

If you cannot access a home antigen test kit and/or would like to have your child complete a PCR COVID test at school due to exposure or illness, please make sure you have completed the electronic consent form linked below.

https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm

Contact your school nurse to make arrangements for PCR testing.

Antigen test kits will be provided by the school subject to available inventory received from the state of Vermont.  Until we have a secure supply chain of tests, antigen kits will be prioritized for those students and staff that are not fully vaccinated.  As above, PCR testing will continue to be offered at school for those fully vaccinated and asymptomatic following an exposure.

Thank you, if you have questions or concerns please contact me or your school nurse. 

Tom DeBalsi
Superintendent
Hartford School District

Vaccination Information

Please do not hesitate to contact Superintendent DeBalsi or one of the district's COVID Coordinators with any questions.