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Recommendations for Pre-K to 12 Schools Following Identification of a Case(s) of COVID-19

It is important to note that a significant and/or widespread outbreak may require moving to a more remote-based instructional model more quickly. DOH will provide proactive consultative assistance to school entities should such an outbreak occur.

Number of Cases of COVID-19 Within a 14-day period:

Level of Community Transmission in the County 1 student or 1 staff 2-4 students/staff
in same school building
OR
<5% of total number of students/staff in a school building are cases
OR
Multiple school buildings with individual cases who are not household contacts		 5+ students/staff
in same school building
OR
≥5% of total number of students/ staff in a school building are cases
OR
Multiple school buildings with 2-4 cases who are not household contacts
Low
  • School does not need to close
  • Clean area(s) where case spent time
  • Public health staff will direct close contacts to quarantine
  • Close school(s) for 3-5 days*
  • Clean area(s) where cases spent time
  • Public health staff will direct close contacts to quarantine
  • Close school(s) for 14 days*
  • Clean entire school(s)
  • Public health staff will direct close contacts to quarantine
Moderate
  • School does not need to close
  • Clean area(s) where case spent time
  • Public health staff will direct close contacts to quarantine
  • Close school(s) for 5-7 days*
  • Clean area(s) where cases spent time
  • Public health staff will direct close contacts to quarantine
  • Close school(s) for 14 days*
  • Clean entire school(s)
  • Public health staff will direct close contacts to quarantine
Substantial DOH and PDE recommend a Full Remote Learning Model for all schools in counties with substantial level of community transmission DOH and PDE recommend a Full Remote Learning Model for all schools in counties with substantial level of community transmission DOH and PDE recommend a Full Remote Learning Model for all schools in counties with substantial level of community transmission

*When an entire school is recommended to close, lengths of closure time will vary by level of community transmission and number of cases. This allows public health staff the necessary time to complete case investigations and contact tracing, and to provide schools with other appropriate public health advice like cleaning and disinfecting.