MDHHS Guidance for COVID-19 Exposed Students

As you’re aware, last week the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released updated guidance  related to quarantine, isolation, and COVID-19 in schools on September 8. That was updated again on September 10, 2021 to reflect some minor clarifications and feedback from the field. The most important thing to note is that this guidance makes distinctions between exposure situations where universal masking is in effect, and where masking is optional, or not in place at all. This guidance is very specific to students and does not mention staff situations. For some members, this guidance may look familiar as it has been adopted by local health departments through recommendations or in some cases, orders.

DHHS included an infographic for ease of access to the guidance document, but for detailed questions, you should consult the guidance. As a reminder, this is simply guidance and ultimately rules will be developed locally in conjunction with your local health officials.  

When a student exposed to a COVID-positive student can remain in school:

1. A fully vaccinated student (regardless of whether they wore a mask) who came in close contact with a COVID-positive student.
   1. The exposed student can remain in school if they wear a mask and monitor symptoms for 14 days after their exposure. Students who were not wearing a mask, or if they were within 3 feet when they were exposed, should test for COVID-19 once on day 3, 4, or 5 after their last exposure to the COVID-positive student. If the exposed student tests positive, then the student should isolate and follow directions from their local health department.
2. A student who was masked and exposed to a COVID-positive student who was also masked in an indoor school setting, so long as the students remained at least 3 – 6 feet apart.
   1. The exposed student can remain in school if they continue to wear a mask, but they should monitor symptoms for 14 days following the exposure.
3. A student who was masked and exposed to a COVID-positive student who was also masked in an indoor school setting, but the students were less than 3 feet apart and the student tests daily.
   1. The exposed student can remain in school if they wear a mask. They should monitor symptoms for 14 days and test daily before coming into the school building for the 7 days following the exposure.  They should continue to monitor for symptoms for a total of 14 days following the exposure.
   2. The exposed student should work with their school district and local health department to determine options available for daily testing. If the student cannot complete daily testing for 7 days following the exposure, the student should not remain in school and should follow the guidance below.

Even though the students in the three scenarios above can attend school, they are still a close contact with an exposure to COVID-19. The family should consider this before having the student visit family members andfriends who may be at risk of severe outcomes for COVID-19 infection. The student’s social activities outside of school should be limited for at least 10 days.

When an unvaccinated student exposed to a COVID-positive student should not remain in school:

1. If the exposed or infected student, or both were not wearing a mask. Unvaccinated students who are unmasked are more likely to become ill because they are more likely to have been exposed to larger amounts of virus.
   1. The exposed student should not remain in school, and instead the student should quarantine at home for 10 days following the exposure.
      1. They may return after day 10 if they have not had any symptoms during those 10 days. They should continue to monitor for symptoms for a total of 14 days following the exposure.
      2. They may after day 7 if they test negative that day and do not have symptoms. They should continue to monitor for symptoms for a total of 14 days following the exposure.

2. A student who was masked and exposed to a COVID-positive student who was also masked in an indoor school setting, but the students were less than 3 feet apart and the student does not test daily.

Any individual that displays COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should isolate and be tested for COVID-19.  Individuals can return from isolation as directed by their local health department.

Understandably, you will have questions. We’re actively monitoring listservs for points we can help clarify and encourage you to reach out to MASA with your questions. Many times, our answer will be “let us check,” so we appreciate your patience.