January 29, 2021
Dear Families,
As the landscape changes with COVID-19, we at NYA continue to examine the latest information and adapt as we are able. Below is an update and a reminder of the school’s current COVID-19 policies:
Quarantine Timing
If a person is considered a close contact, the CDC has changed the quarantine period to 10 days. However, NYA has maintained a 14 day quarantine period. This means that the close contact must wait a full 14 days prior to returning to campus for in-person schooling or any other NYA events.
Travel
If students or staff travel outside of Maine or the current exempt states, they must wait five full days and then obtain a PCR test. Only a negative PCR test will be accepted before being permitted to return to campus.
Positive Results
If a student tests positive for COVID-19, please notify the school immediately, provide a positive test result, and remain isolated for 10 days. After the 10 days and remaining asymptomatic, the student or staff member must obtain a negative PCR test before returning to school. After the negative results from this follow-up PCR test have been submitted, the student/staff member will be considered free from quarantine and exempt from testing for 90 days as recommended by the CDC. After those 90 days have passed, all quarantine and testing rules resume. All student athletes must obtain sports clearance to resume NYA athletics post COVID-19 positive test.
Thank you to the NYA community for their continued vigilance. With COVID-19 still spreading, it is critical that we all remain vigilant and continue to adhere to the NYA Health and Safety Agreement. Please continue keep your children home if you suspect illness, have a close exposure, travel outside the current exempt states, and encourage good decision making. We understand this can be stressful, and we appreciate everyone doing all they can to keep our community as safe as possible.
Sincerely,
Ashley Moody, RN
NYA Health Services Coordinator
Additional Information:
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus.
Signs and symptoms include:
fever or chills • cough • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • fatigue • muscle or body aches • headache • new loss of taste or smell • sore throat • congestion or runny nose • nausea or vomiting • diarrhea
Please keep in mind that many things can cause respiratory illness, so students and staff should be up-to-date on influenza and routine vaccinations. Maine CDC recommends several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper handwashing with soap and warm water, which is especially important after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
If you have questions specific to quarantining or this case at NYA, please contact Ashley Moody, NYA Health Services Coordinator. For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call a health care provider. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
From CDC Glossary of Terms:
Quarantine
Process of separating and restricting the movement of individuals that were in close contact with someone who tested positive or had symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 must stay home for a minimum of 10 days since the last day of contact with the person with COVID-19 and watch for symptoms of COVID-19. The CDC requires a quarantine period of 10 days from the last exposure to the individual. In the interest of safety, NYA requires 14 days prior to returning to school from last exposure. Persons in quarantine should self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice and test if recommended by Maine CDC or healthcare provider. Screening Assessing individuals for symptoms of COVID-19 verbally or via self/parent attestation. Temperature checks may be performed by the school if desired.
Close Contact
In general, being within six feet of an infected person (with or without a face mask) for at least 15 minutes (in aggregate for certain situations like extra-curricular activities or athletics), or having unprotected direct contact with secretions or excretions of a person with confirmed COVID-19 during the infectious period. The CDC also determines any students who have been in the same classroom for a period of 15 minutes or more to be considered a close contact.
