Dear B-C-S Stakeholders:

Below is the latest guidance Benton-Carroll-Salem School District will be following regarding COVID-19. This is based on the recommendation of the Ohio Department of Health for schools:

• ODH recommends schools follow general isolation procedures from the CDC for confirmed (positive) cases. If students or staff feel sick or suspect they might have COVID-19, they should stay home and take a rapid test. Testing kits are still available from any of the school offices. Please report any positive results to the school nurse.

• If positive for COVID-19, students and staff should stay home from school for at least 5 days (after symptoms start) and longer if necessary until fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving. Additionally, after isolation ends, students and staff should continue to take precautions as they resume normal activities by wearing a mask for 5 days (or after two negative tests 48 hours apart).

• ODH is no longer recommending the Mask to Stay, Test to Play quarantine alternative for schools. This means that if you have been in contact with someone who is positive for COVID, you do not need to notify the school nurses.

• Below are some other important guidelines: