DATE: April 19, 2021
TO: Sangamon-Menard Schools
FROM: Gail O’Neill, Director of Public Health
SUBJECT: Return of Students from Quarantine
Regional School Superintendents requested that the Sangamon County Department of Public Health allow student-athletes to return from quarantine at 10 days after exposure to COVID-19 rather than after day 14. They said that surrounding counties around us are less restrictive.
On December 2, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance for establishing quarantine timelines for contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/scientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fmore%2Fscientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html
Subsequently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted the guidance. On December 17, 2020, IDPH released updates to the quarantine guidelines for local public health authorities to determine and establish quarantine options based on risk factors. https://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/IDPH%20Quarantine%20guidance1.14.2021_0.pdf
Due to increased cases in the 0-19 population within Sangamon and Menard Counties, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health requires enhanced surveillance of the students before returning to school. Sporting activities have been the source of much of the increase in cases in our area.
After checking with several similar communities, we found that we are not the only ones adhering to the guidance provided by IDPH. Others have adhered strictly to the IDPH guidelines of 14 days of quarantine for student-athletes and the quarantine of members of both opposing teams if there is a positive person who has exposed either team. After much discussion with medical consultants, we offer the following directions regarding quarantine of student-athletes in sports.
In alignment with the CDC, 14-day quarantine continues to be the recommended period. Options acceptable to the CDC include:
A. Students may return to the classroom after 10 days of quarantine and a negative test taken on or after day 10.
B. Students may return to playing sports after 14 days of quarantine.
C. In accordance with CDC’s latest guidelines, if IgG antibodies are present for the athlete, they may return to play without quarantine. It is important to rule out the presence of IgM and any ongoing symptoms. It is important to use standard labs for antibodies testing and not home kits.
D. A student who has been fully vaccinated* does not require quarantine unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, the student must isolate immediately and be tested.
* Fully vaccinated is two weeks after the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
All shortened quarantine periods require additional criteria to be followed. Key points to highlight include:
As the legal public health authority, our staff will assess the processes in place for daily monitoring, proper testing, and any additional exposures.
Thank you for your patience during this unique period in our community. We truly appreciate the collaboration.
TO: Sangamon-Menard Schools
FROM: Gail O’Neill, Director of Public Health
SUBJECT: Return of Students from Quarantine
Regional School Superintendents requested that the Sangamon County Department of Public Health allow student-athletes to return from quarantine at 10 days after exposure to COVID-19 rather than after day 14. They said that surrounding counties around us are less restrictive.
On December 2, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance for establishing quarantine timelines for contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/scientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fmore%2Fscientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html
Subsequently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted the guidance. On December 17, 2020, IDPH released updates to the quarantine guidelines for local public health authorities to determine and establish quarantine options based on risk factors. https://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/IDPH%20Quarantine%20guidance1.14.2021_0.pdf
Due to increased cases in the 0-19 population within Sangamon and Menard Counties, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health requires enhanced surveillance of the students before returning to school. Sporting activities have been the source of much of the increase in cases in our area.
After checking with several similar communities, we found that we are not the only ones adhering to the guidance provided by IDPH. Others have adhered strictly to the IDPH guidelines of 14 days of quarantine for student-athletes and the quarantine of members of both opposing teams if there is a positive person who has exposed either team. After much discussion with medical consultants, we offer the following directions regarding quarantine of student-athletes in sports.
In alignment with the CDC, 14-day quarantine continues to be the recommended period. Options acceptable to the CDC include:
A. Students may return to the classroom after 10 days of quarantine and a negative test taken on or after day 10.
B. Students may return to playing sports after 14 days of quarantine.
C. In accordance with CDC’s latest guidelines, if IgG antibodies are present for the athlete, they may return to play without quarantine. It is important to rule out the presence of IgM and any ongoing symptoms. It is important to use standard labs for antibodies testing and not home kits.
D. A student who has been fully vaccinated* does not require quarantine unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, the student must isolate immediately and be tested.
* Fully vaccinated is two weeks after the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
All shortened quarantine periods require additional criteria to be followed. Key points to highlight include:
- Correct and consistent mask use (including within homes)
- Social distancing
- Hand hygiene
- Daily monitoring of symptoms of COVID-19 illness
- Avoid large crowds
As the legal public health authority, our staff will assess the processes in place for daily monitoring, proper testing, and any additional exposures.
Thank you for your patience during this unique period in our community. We truly appreciate the collaboration.