Schools
Updated School and Childcare Protocols
Pitkin County Public Health has updated the School and Childcare Isolation and Quarantine Protocol and associated documents (click on the buttons below for full details. All documents go into effect starting January 4, 2021.
The main changes to the documents can be found below.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed their recommended quarantine guidance on December 2 , 2021. Pitkin County has adopted this guidance for those exposed to COVID-19, but those associated with a school setting will need to remain out of school for the full 10 days although quarantine can be discontinued per the guidance below.
Pitkin County Public Health is dedicated to maintaining the health and well being of all children and staff members at Pitkin County schools and child care facilities while also ensuring schools and child care facilities can operate safely.
Who needs to Quarantine
Those exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 in a school setting will be sent home immediately. The guidelines below provide guidance regarding those required to quarantine following exposure.
When To Stay Home Or Go Home
A student or staff member who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or has any of the following symptoms should stay home.
Anyone with at least one of the above symptoms should stay home, seek testing, and consult with the school nurse or nurse designee to determine length of time needed to stay out of school.
Please see When to Get a COVID-19 Test below to determine when someone with symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested AND call your school to inform them of the reason for your absence.
If at least one of the above symptoms have developed within 14 days of being around someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please contact Pitkin County Public Health immediately at (970) 429-6186.
All symptoms in red font are considered major symptoms of COVID-19. Those with a major symptom must remain home for 10 days following the date the first symptom started.
When To Get A COVID Test
A student or staff member should be tested for COVID-19 under the following circumstances
Please visit https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/get-tested/ for a list of testing sites in the Roaring Fork Valley.
You must isolate at home following your COVID-19 Test.
Your family should also stay home until the result is available.
People with COVID-19 symptoms must continue to isolate even with a negative COVID-19 test result.
1 Testing too early after exposure can result in a false negative result. Testing should occur in the window of 7 days after the first date that a person was exposed to someone with COVID-19.
2 Testing too early after symptoms develop can result in a false negative result. Testing should occur after two days have passed since the first symptom developed.
Isolation & Quarantine
If you have symptoms or test positive for Covid-19
You will be asked to isolate yourself
You may be contagious even if you don’t feel sick
Stay home for at least 10 days if all symptoms have improved
All family members must stay home even if the
family members do not have symptoms
If after 10 days you have no fever for 24 hours and all other symptoms have improved, you may discontinue isolation
If you were exposed to Covid-19
You will be asked to quarantine yourself
You may be contagious even if you don’t feel sick
Stay home for at least 10 days or 7 days with a negative test result
If anyone in the household develops any symptoms, all family
members must stay home until COVID-19 is ruled out
If after 10 days you don’t have symptoms or after 7 days with a negative test and no symptoms, you may discontinue quarantine
