COVID-19 Protocols (Revised August 17, 2022)
Please review the updated COVID-19 protocols for Bibb County School District. This information is subject to revision based on continued guidance throughout the school year by the CDC, Georgia Department of Public Health (GaDPH) and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).
Student and staff health and wellness is a priority for the Bibb County School District. As such, the District continues to monitor the spread of all communicable or infectious diseases within our community and schools or facilities. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools and facilities safe.
August 11, 2022 announcement by CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0811-covid-guidance.html
DISTRICT SAFETY PROTOCOLS
- Masks are optional in schools, BCSD buildings and on school buses.
- Masks are still required for those individuals returning to school or work during the isolation phase.
- COVID-19 vaccinations and/or boosters are not required but are strongly recommended and encouraged for any eligible individual. Find a vaccination site at www.vaccines.gov. Learn more about pediatric COVID-19 vaccine recommendations at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html.
- Individuals should remain home if they feel unwell and contact their medical provider if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
CONTACT TRACING AND NOTIFICATION PROTOCOLS
- The Bibb County School District remains in close contact with the Georgia Department of Public Health (GaDPH) / North Central Health District and will follow protocols of GaDPH notifiable diseases by reporting clusters of positive cases of COVID-19 to DPH. The safety and well-being of students and staff is one of our top priorities. For GaDPH / NCHD information, visit https://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/.
- If a student or employee tests positive for COVID-19, he/she is expected to notify the principal or supervisor. Principals will notify the school nurse and attendance clerk. All non-school staff should notify their supervisor, and their supervisor will notify Corey Goble or Stacy Carr.
- COVID-positive individuals must isolate according to the CDC guidelines listed below. Students and employees are expected to follow isolation and quarantine guidelines provided by the CDC and/or GaDPH. School nurses and Human Resources administrators may assist with clarifying and identifying return dates.
- The Bibb County School District will maintain data regarding the number of positive COVID-19 cases through SchoolCare (formerly CareDox) health records monitored by school nurses. Clusters of positive cases will be reported to GaDPH as directed.
QUARANTINE / ISOLATION PROTOCOLS
The Bibb County School District will follow CDC / GaDPH guidelines for isolation and quarantine.
Student/Staff Isolation: Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) must:
- Isolate at home for 5 days from the date symptoms first appeared or, if asymptomatic, the date of the positive test. Stay away from others in the household as much as possible during isolation.
- After 5 days, if you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving and you have not had fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, you may end isolation. If symptoms are not improving or fever has not resolved, you should continue isolating for the remainder of the 10 days or until these criteria are met within the 10-day timeframe.
- After ending isolation, you should continue to wear a high-quality mask around other individuals in the home and in public for 5 days or the conclusion of the 10-day timeframe.
- Should fever persist beyond 10 days, a doctor’s note may be required.
Student/Staff Quarantine: If a student or employee has been identified as a close contact to someone with COVID-19 outside of the school setting, follow these protocols no matter the vaccination status.
- You do not need to quarantine.
- It is recommended that you wear a high-quality mask around other individuals in public for 10 days.
- If possible, get tested on day 5.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
VISITORS
- Upon entering buildings and signing in through CheckMate, volunteers and guests will be required to respond to safety questions before completing the check-in process.
- The Bibb County School District may change visitor access and/or protocols throughout the school year depending upon levels of community spread.
Get Vaccinated!
COVID-19 vaccinations are not required but are strongly recommended and encouraged for any eligible individual. Additionally, many individuals are eligible for a booster shot 2-6 months following the primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Read more about eligibility here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html.
- The Macon-Bibb County Health Department is administering COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 5 years and older each Wednesday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at its location at 1600 Forsyth Street, Macon. Appointments are not required. For more information, visit https://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/covid-19-vaccine/.
- Individuals may schedule vaccination appointments with the health department on days other than Wednesdays by calling 478-749-0179.
- Visit www.vaccines.gov to plug in your ZIP code and find a location providing COVID-19 vaccinations near you.
- The Bibb County School District partners with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) through the Georgia Department of Public Health. Find upcoming vaccination events near you at https://curogram.com/registrations/6164217518fe6d009fed51ae.
Family Resources
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