the Indiana Department of Health released new quarantine protocols for schools on December 30. These requirements have been issued for schools with a mask mandate in place. Separate requirements with longer quarantine times were issued for schools without a mask mandate.
In accordance with these requirements, please see below for a full list of COVID-19 procedural changes at Southern Hancock:
If a student develops symptoms of COVID-19:
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The student has ONE symptom: Will remain home for 72 hours. May return to school with a negative COVID-19 test. Must be fever, vomit, diarrhea free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
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The student has TWO OR MORE symptoms: Will remain home for five days. May return to school with a negative COVID-19 test. Must be fever, vomit, diarrhea free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
If a student tests positive for COVID-19:
If a student is identified as a close contact by school staff:
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Continue to come to school unless COVID-19 symptoms develop.
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The Indiana Department of Health recommends all close contacts be tested for COVID-19 after Day 5. This is not required to attend school.
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If the student or staff member develops any COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay home.
If a student is exposed to COVID-19 outside of school (including at home):
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Contact the Hancock County Health Department at (317) 477-1125 for information on contact tracing and return dates.
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Indiana Department of Health guidance requests families to take the following action:
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If a student or staff member is fully vaccinated (The CDC defines fully vaccinated as being at least 14 days removed from a booster shot or having completed the Moderna vaccine within the last six months, the Pfizer vaccine within the last five months, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last two months):
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Continue to come to school unless COVID-19 symptoms develop.
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The Indiana Department of Health recommends all close contacts be tested for COVID-19 after Day 5. This is not required to attend school.
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If the student or staff member develops any COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay home.
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If a student is partially vaccinated or unvaccinated:
Extracurricular participation for early returnees:
The requirements from the state health department allow students who test positive for COVID-19 and return to school on Day 6 to participate in extracurricular activities, but a mask must be worn at all times during participation. Parents will be given the option to allow their students to participate in practice with a mask or stay home. There will be no penalty for choosing not to participate between Day 6 and Day 11. During the window between Day 6 and Day 11, students may participate in practice, but may not compete.