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Reporting

School Associated Cases

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Emergency Order Under MCL 333.2253 requires school districts to report school associated cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours after being notified by the local health department.

A school associated case includes a case of probable or confirmed COVID-19 among students, teachers, staff members, coaches, volunteers, or any other person who was present on school property or at a school function that may result in the transmission or contraction of COVID-19 during an infectious period.

Having cases present in school buildings does not indicate that the person's exposure occurred at school.

Additional Resources

 

website reporting 3-16-2022

COVID-19 Communications and Updates

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Elementary teacher and students
Class ending
5th grade math class

Frequently Asked Questions

District Mitigation Measures

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD), and the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus may cause more serious illness in persons of all ages, including children. 

According to these experts, facial coverings are a safe, essential, and proven strategy to prevent secondary transmission of this aggressive Delta variant in schools. Masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets. They also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer.

The OCHD issued an Emergency Order (2021-01) for Control of Pandemic, which states that schools are required to ensure all students, teachers, staff and community members consistently and properly wear facial coverings while inside a school building or structure, regardless of vaccination status.

The OCHD guidance indicates that masks and vaccination status will limit the need to quarantine when an individual is exposed to COVID-19.   Please review the OCHD School Quarantine and Isolation Guidance listed below for further information.

We realize that this has been a trying time for many of our school community members, and we recognize that some of our families have different points of view regarding mitigation strategies. However, we can all agree that our children belong in the classroom, learning and growing with highly skilled, caring teachers. We hope that community members can respectfully put personal preferences aside and work together to keep our students in our school buildings.

Please help keep our students safe and in person. We appreciate your support in encouraging your student to:

  • Wear a mask

  • Get vaccinated if eligible

  • Wash hands frequently

  • Stay home when sick

Preventing Transmission

The CDC states that the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Mitigation measures include the following:

  1. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after being in a public place, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  2. As much as possible, maintain a distance from other people who are sick or who do not live in the same household.
  3. Cover mouth and nose with a mask in a public setting and when around others who don’t live in the same household. Masks should not be placed on young children under age two, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. 
  4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Use detergent or soap and water to clean. Then use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.
  5. Monitor Health Daily. Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. 
  6. Stay home when sick. If students or staff members are sick, they should stay home and contact their primary care physician and/or the OCHD for guidance and support as needed. The Oakland County Nurse on Call can be reached at 1-800-848-5533; the Help Hotline is 248-858-1000. Additional information is located on the OCHD website

  7. Get vaccinated if eligible. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5 years old and up,

Child washing hands
First page of the PDF file: School Quarantine-Isolation Guide1-12-22
First page of the PDF file: School Quarantine-Isolation Guide pg2 1-12-22

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Health experts agree that vaccinations are another important strategy to help save lives and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

On Nov. 2, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 – 11 years old, as recommended by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.  Previously, the CDC recommended the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 12 years and older. For more information, visit the MDHHS website.

Masks and vaccination status will limit the need to quarantine when an individual is exposed to COVID-19.

Rochester Community Schools continues to partner with various community health agencies so those who are eligible for the vaccination can have convenient access to appointments.

To schedule an appointment with the Oakland County Health Division, call 800-848-5533.Additional information and locations are available on the Oakland County website.