Important Update to CCA Quarantine Protocol

At last night’s board meeting, the CCA Board approved the District moving to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) COVID-19 Guidance. The focus is still on health and safety but this change will allow more students to remain in school. The IDPH guidance changes the District’s quarantine process and reinforces the importance of consistently and correctly wearing masks. 

For students and staff that are currently quarantined, school nurses will review each case and determine if any changes to quarantine dates are needed based on this new guidance. If it is determined any currently quarantined students or staff are eligible to be released early, they will be contacted. 

Quarantine is no longer recommended if a potential exposure occurs while both the infectious individual and the close contacts are wearing face coverings consistently and correctly. (face shields are not acceptable).  We will continue to investigate each case and will notify parents if their child has been identified as a close contact and what steps they will need to take.  

Effective immediately, the district will follow these new guidelines: 

1. Students and staff must consistently and correctly wear a CDC approved face covering during the entire school day except when eating, drinking, or participating in short mask breaks (5 minutes or less). If face coverings are off (only for eating/drinking and short mask breaks), social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained.
2. Students who participate in school-sponsored athletics/activities would still need to quarantine if exposed during activity if they do not wear their CDC approved face covering consistently and appropriately during practices and games/activities.
3. We will continue the 14 day quarantine protocol with identified close contacts who do not meet the mask guidelines and for those who do not consistently and correctly wear their face coverings.
4. This new protocol would apply to school only. Household close contacts would still need to quarantine per public health recommendations.
5. Individuals who test positive would still need to isolate for 10 days per public health recommendations.
6. Social distancing is still recommended and a very vital layer of protection.
7. If an exposed student or staff member develops symptoms, they must immediately isolate themselves from school and consult with their private healthcare provider for further guidance and testing if recommended.

 Sincerely,
Tim Kuehl, Superintendent
Kathy Campbell, Director of Health Services