The Washington State Department of Health has released new K-12 COVID-19 requirements, last updated December 5, 2022.

Effective March 12, 2022, Granite Falls School District staff and students are required to adhere to the following requirements and protocols set forth.

The purpose of this document it to outline Granite Falls School District COVID-19 requirements and protocols in accordance with Washington State Department of Health and Snohomish County Health Department guidance dated December 5, 2022.

Staff/Student with Symptoms of COVID-19

With Symptoms: Regardless of vaccination status, staff member or student who has symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home and should get tested and/or see a health care provider and follow the return to work/school protocol accordingly.

Test Positive: Regardless of vaccination status, any staff member or student who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate at home and follow the return to work/school protocol accordingly.

At-Home Isolation Protocol and Returning to Work/School

A staff member or student who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate at home, regardless of vaccination status. The isolation period is 5 full days from the start of symptoms (symptom onset is day zero) or the date of positive test if asymptomatic. In accordance with Snohomish County Health District guidelines, Granite Falls School District is offering the following options for returning to work or school.

*OPTION 1: Modified 5-day Return/Mask Requirement

The positive individual may return to work/school ON DAY SIX after five (5) full days of at home isolation IF:

• Their symptoms have significantly improved, or they are asymptomatic AND
• They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications AND
• Individual is required to wear a well-fitted mask or face shield with a drape during days 6-10 of their isolation period.
• If the individual is not able to wear a well-fitted mask or face shield with a drape, AND does not test negative, they are required to continue isolating through the end of their 10-day isolation period and able to return on day 11.

**OPTION 2: Modified 5-day Return/Test Requirement but NO Mask Requirement

The positive individual may return to work/school ON DAY SIX after five (5) full days of at home isolation IF:

• Their symptoms have significantly improved, or they are asymptomatic AND
• They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications AND
• Option 2: Two negative COVID-19 antigen or at-home tests any day after day 5 (of onset of symptoms or from prior positive test result) at least 24-48 hours apart . PRIOR TO RETURNING TO SCHOOL without a mask, please contact District Nurse Brittney Lundberg at 360.283.4333 or districtnurse@gfalls.wednet.edu.
• If the individual is not able to wear a well-fitted mask or face shield with a drape, AND does not test negative, they are required to continue isolating through the end of their 10-day isolation period and able to return on day 11. 

**OPTION 3: 10-day Return/NO Test or Mask Requirement

The positive individual may return to work/school ON DAY 11 after the full 10 days of at home isolation IF:

• Their symptoms have significantly improved, or they are asymptomatic AND
• They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications.
• Testing beyond day 10 is not necessary.
• No mask requirement beyond day 10.

 EXAMPLE

Staff/Student COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing

Granite Falls School District is offering COVID-19 diagnostic testing for staff and students only. During school hours if a staff member or student is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed to COVID-19 while at school, they may utilize the no charge diagnostic COVID-19 testing option at one of the following school sites. It is recommended that you coordinate with the testing site prior to showing up to ensure they are available.

Testing will be performed using a non-invasive nasal swab that is collected under the supervision of a school nurse or trained school official. Unlike COVID-19 tests of the past, these are not uncomfortable and are easy for students to do themselves. This is an Abbott BinaxNow rapid test, and we receive the results of this test within 15-20 minutes.

To Participate In COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing

• Everyone under the age of 18 requires a completed consent form their parent/guardian.
  • Complete the Granite Falls School District testing consent form for your student which can be found by clicking on this link Student COVID-19 Consent Form.
• Registration with SimpleReport is required for receiving test results at SimpleReport Test ResultsIf you have additional questions regarding the program, please contact District Nurse Brittney Lundberg at 360-283-4333 or districtnurse@gfalls.wednet.edu. 

Exposure Notifications

Granite Falls School District will take the following steps to notify staff and families of a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.  This is in accordance to the new Department of Health guidelines.

• The COVID-19 Online Dashboard is updated weekly and as positive cases are reported.

Changes From Prior Guidance/Protocol

• Only COVID-19 positive individuals will isolate
• No longer quarantining staff/students identified as a close contact
• Staff/student(s) isolate at home regardless of vaccination status only if symptomatic and/or test positive
• Home tests are allowed for determining postive/negative status. Tests cannot be used to determine the return date unless it is performed after day five of isolation. Don’t forget that symptom onset is day zero for calculating when to test.
• Negative on day five, can return on day six with mask requirement through day 10.
• Test positive on or after day five, stay home and continue testing 24 hours. Once negative, can return to school.