Area Schools Get Revised (SHORTER) COVID Quarantine Options
Kennewick and other area schools in Benton and Franklin Counties have received revised "guidance" from the Benton Franklin Health District when it comes to students who've had close contact with a COVID positive person.
According to a statement issued by the BHFD Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amy Person:
"Evidence continues to support that schools are not the primary source of COVID-19 transmission in the community and that there is not sustained transmission in school…Based on the above information, schools in Benton and Franklin counties may follow any of the quarantine options in CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and DOH (Washington State Department of Health) guidance, including shortened quarantine. Fourteen days of quarantine is the safest option, but when that is not possible, shortened quarantine options are available if the student is asymptomatic."
KSD and other Districts say a student who has had verified close contact can return, without testing, after a ten-day period; provided they have no symptoms.
They can also return after day 7 with a negative COVID test, but the test must occur at least five days after the known close contact occurred.
To read the full letter from the BFHD, click on the button below.
This is a significant reduction of the previous mandates, and continues to support what many other experts had said for months; that schools are not the 'breeding' ground for COVID transmission.
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