M-DCPS Announces Revised Quarantine Protocols for Employees, High School Students

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has not wavered in its commitment to prioritize the health and wellbeing of its students and employees, by continuously working with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), local health officials and experts in the development of protocols. Data points being monitored include the number of positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 individuals in the local population, new hospital admissions due to COVID-19, and the number of local intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

The District’s Ad Hoc Health and Medical Experts Task Force was consulted today regarding a targeted reduction in the quarantine period for all employees and high school students.

Based on the Task Force’s medical guidance, beginning on Monday, September 20, 2021, COVID-19 quarantine protocols will be updated as follows: 

Upon direct contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, unvaccinated high school students and employees may return to the school/work site provided they meet both of these criteria:

·      They provide a negative PCR test result taken on or after day five since exposure, and

·      They are asymptomatic.

For unvaccinated students and employees who do not provide a negative PCR test result on or after five days of exposure or are not asymptomatic, it is recommended they continue to follow the quarantine protocol of 10 days since exposure.

Fully vaccinated students and employees will not need to quarantine and may remain at their school/worksite providing they meet ALL of the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria:

·      Two weeks have passed since:

o   Receiving a single dose of vaccine, or

o   The second dose in a two-dose series.

·      They remain asymptomatic after the current COVID-19 exposure.

·      They do not reside in a group home.

Additionally, the District will be seeking input from the FDOH and the Task Force regarding local COVID-19 conditions and relevant criteria that would enable adjustments to the current facial-covering protocol. COVID-19 information is continuously evolving. M-DCPS will continue to collaborate with the FDOH and local medical experts to ensure that parents and our community remain well informed through news media, regular social media posts, school-to-home communications, and our website at https://backtoschool.dadeschools.net/.

For the most up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools mobile app to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on Twitter @mdcps and @miamisup, on Instagram @miamischools and @miamisup, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools and AlbertoCarvalho.