January 7, 2022

Dear Williamsville Central School District Families and Staff,

Earlier today, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) shared with school districts that they are adopting the shortened isolation and quarantine guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). This guidance update is for the general population and impacts students and staff members.

Isolation – Test Positive for COVID-19

The following applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

If a student/staff member tests positive for COVID-19 (Isolate):

• Isolate for 5 days, where day 0 is the day of symptom onset or (if asymptomatic) the day you were tested that resulted in a positive test.
• If asymptomatic at the end of 5 days or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
• Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
• Individuals who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after a 5-day  isolation should also follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.

Quarantine – Exposed to An Individual With COVID-19

If fully vaccinated and boosted (with the booster at least 2 weeks before the  first date of exposure) or not yet eligible for a booster:

• No quarantine is required but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
• If possible, test at day 5 with a PCR or antigen test.
• If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. In this situation, quarantine would end when the test is negative (PCR or antigen test). If testing is not done, isolate according to the guidance above.

If not fully vaccinated or fully vaccinated and eligible for a booster but not yet boosted:

• Quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
• If possible, test at day 5 with either a PCR or antigen test.
• If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. In this situation, quarantine would end when the test is negative (PCR or antigen test). If testing is not done, isolate according to the guidance above.

COVID-19 guidance and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NYSDOH, and ECDOH is rapidly changing. Ultimately, authority is given to local health departments to adopt guidelines as it pertains to schools and the general population.  Our district personnel are working diligently with ECDOH to make sure information is updated, accurate, and available as a resource.  Please know that when ECDOH formally adopts guidance from NYSDOH for schools, our information is then updated to reflect those changes.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall
Superintendent of Schools