January 2, 2022 Message to CREC Community

Dear CREC Community,

After reviewing the new guidance from the CDC and consulting with local health professionals, CREC has decided to revise our protocols for isolation and quarantine for:  

1. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID.

2. Individuals who are direct contacts.

If you have Tested Positive

The previous requirements for staff and students required 10 days of isolation.  The new requirement calls for 10 days of strict mask wearing and only 5 days of isolation for some individuals who meet certain standards.  The new requirements are at the discretion of the CREC administration and any individual not adhering to the new guidelines will be asked to isolate for 10 full days. The date your 10 days begins will be determined in consultation with a health professional from CREC.

To be eligible to shorten the quarantine time you MUST:

• Be at least five days beyond the day the CREC health professionals determined to be your start date.

• Be fever free for at least 24 hours without medication and other symptoms have significantly improved.  

• Continue to be symptom free until the 10th day has passed

• Be willing to wear your mask in all public spaces

• Be willing and able to eat in isolation so your mask is not removed when near others 

• Agree not to participate in any extracurricular activities that require you to remove your mask

If you are a Direct Contact at home or in the community

In accordance with new guidance released by the CT DPH, screen and stay policies are now revised to the following:

• Symptomatic regardless of vaccination status - Anyone with even mild symptoms should quarantine at home, seek out a COVID test and contact your health provider. Please click here for a complete list of testing sites provided by 2-1-1. 

• Vaccinated and Asymptomatic - Individuals who are vaccinated and deemed to be direct contacts can continue to come to school/work assuming you have no symptoms.  You should wear your mask and monitor symptoms.  You should also avoid contact with a highly vulnerable person.  It is recommended that you take a COVID test 5 days after your exposure.

• Unvaccinated and Asymptomatic - If you are unvaccinated and a direct contact outside of school/work you must be isolated for 5 full days.  You can then take a COVID test to determine your status.  Assuming you test negative you may then follow the same protocols listed above for people who have tested positive. You should contact a CREC health professional to verify your negative result and then follow the guidance listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the specific guidance provided by the Connecticut Department of Public Health? 

On December 31, 2021, CT Department of Public Health provided updated guidance entitled “Updated Considerations for Quarantine, Isolation, Testing, and Contact Tracing Policies and Procedures in PreK-12 Schools.”  The link to this document is provided below:  School Contact Tracing_Quarantine_Update_12312021.pdf

When does the 10 days begin?

An individual should begin the 10-day protocol as determined and in consultation with your health professional.  You would return to normal activity on the 11th day and potentially return to fully-masked activities on the 6th day provided you meet the criteria listed above. 

How do we define symptoms?

The symptoms associated with COVID have evolved as the new variants emerge.  If any of these symptoms - even at a mild state - are present you cannot end isolation early. Currently the definition includes: 

• Fever (temp over 99 degrees)

• Diarrhea

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Loss of smell

• Loss of taste

Who is responsible for determining if I am symptomatic?

You will work with your CREC Health Professional to determine if you are symptomatic.   Please feel free to call the nurse in advance with questions or call CREC Health Services, if your location does not have an assigned nurse.

How do I know if I am a direct contact?

If you have been around an individual who has tested positive or been with someone who is sick and unable to get a test, you should consider yourself a direct contact.

Why do I need to eat in isolation?

One of the places where individuals are most vulnerable is when masks are removed for eating. Eating in isolation assures that you will not be exposing others to COVID when you return early.

If I fail to wear my mask properly after returning early what happens?

You will be sent home and asked not to return until the full 10 days has passed.

Does this guidance apply to Student Service programs? 

Cases in Student Service programs will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with CREC Health Services.   Individual determinations will be made regarding contact tracing and quarantines depending on the specific circumstances of the case.   

Stay safe.

-          Greg, Sandy, Tim, and Heather