Clarification of Test to Stay
There has been some recent confusion on Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23’s COVID-19 Test to Stay procedures. The following communication is designed to explain the process for a greater understanding for students, families and staff.
If a student reports or tests positive for COVID-19, they will be placed in quarantine by the Logan County Health Department for ten days. The school will determine what students and staff were in close contact with the positive testing person through contact tracing.
Close contact is defined as: being unvaccinated and being within 3 feet of the positive testing individual for more than 15 minutes in a 24 hour period.
Students who are considered close contacts, who have worn masks, will have the option to participate in Test to Stay procedures. Students who are symptom free and test negative on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 from their first exposure will be allowed to remain in school.
All testing dates are determined from the last day of contact with the positive case. If the exposure is not determined until day 2 (due to a weekend or holiday), the students will test on day 3, 5 and 7.
Students in Test to Stay protocol may participate in non-athletic extracurricular activities where masks and social distancing is possible.
Students in the Test to Stay protocol who are involved in athletics or activities that do not allow social distancing will not be allowed to participate in practice, games or other team activities until they are symptom free and test negative on day 7. Athletes will be immediately eligible after the day 7 negative test.
The district looks at every situation separately first with a lens to determine student safety and then to devise a plan that is least restrictive, based on student safety. Questions on health matters and concerns should be handled through your students' school office by our district nurse.
If you have questions on Test to Stay protocols, please contact the district office for additional clarification.