MSAD #44 COVID-19 Protocol Changes based on 1/20/2022 update for SOP
Good Evening, this is Dave Murphy, MSAD #44 Superintendent of Schools. I wanted to touch base with you tonight to update you on some changes to our COVID protocols that are being made based on new informationrecently released at the state level.
Following the Maine CDC/DOE Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which was updated on 1/11/2022, we are temporarily suspending the identification of close contacts of positive cases in MSAD #44. Please be assured that we will still continue to communicate with impacted families using a positive case notification letter. These positive case notifications will be issued a bit differently for the elementary, middle and high schools due to the class configurations at each level. At the elementary level, a positive case notification letter will be sent when there is a positive case in a classroom. At the middle school, updates will be given by grade level on a weekly basis. At the high school, updates will be done weekly on a school-wide basis.
As a reminder, any positive student or staff member must complete a minimum 5 day quarantine and be cleared by the district nurse or school administration before returning to school. When returning to school, the individual will be required to wear a mask consistently while around others (both indoors and outdoors, including recess) for a specified period of time, currently days 6-10.
Starting with this announcement and due to the local trends in cases that we have been seeing in MSAD #44 recently, we are refining our protocol involving students who are living with a COVID positive individual. If a household member tests positive for COVID-19, the exposed student will be required to quarantine for a minimum of 5 days. In addition, a negative test result must be provided and the student must be free of symptoms or asymptomatic before returning to school.
As a reminder, well-fitting masks are required. Buffs and neck gaiters are no longer allowed to be worn in place of masks. For additional information on the MSAD 44 SOP, please check the MSAD 44 website or any of our Facebook pages.
PLEASE NOTE - A complete copy of the updated Maine CDC/Maine DOE Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which includes additional, specific information, will be posted to the MSAD 44 district website on Monday.
We look forward to our return to school tomorrow!