Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1, Central Valley CSD asymptotic students and staff who are placed on precautionary quarantine for an exposure to COVID-19 will have the option to return to school three days earlier if they test negative for COVID-19 and remain symptom-free.
“We have said repeatedly that students learn best when they are in person in front of their teachers," said Central Valley Superintendent Jeremy Rich. "This may not be perfect, but shortening the quarantine period is good news for schools."
The Herkimer County Public Health Department worked with Herkimer BOCES to introduce these new rules. Both Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent Sandra Sherwood and Herkimer County Director of Public Health Christina Cain stressed the goal is to get students and staff back into their schools, while keeping their schools safe."
How it works
- Available to asymptomatic residents of Herkimer County quarantined for COVID-19 exposure;
- Individuals are tested on the sixth day of quarantine;
- If the lab-confirmed test result is negative and they are still free of symptoms, they can return to school and other activities on day eight;
- Instead of 10 days of quarantine, individuals are back in school for days eight, nine, and 10.
Students and staff can get this testing done independently at any testing site approved by New York state. Tests also can be given by many of the schools after the fifth day of a precautionary quarantine. Families should contact the school principal for information about testing.