Testing, Cases & Tracing

Click here to learn more about COVID-19 Testing. Use one of the links below to find a COVID-19 test site near you. Appointments may be required. Your physician and many pharmacies may also be able to provide testing.

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Positive Cases at School

Isolation Room

Students who begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms at school will wait for transport home in an isolation room or area separate from others, with a supervising adult present using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Students or staff with COVID-19 symptoms must be seen by a healthcare provider (HCP) for evaluation and have COVID-19 testing (unless determined not necessary by HCP). If they do not have a HCP they should call their local health department. 

Onondaga County Department of Health Isolation & Quarantine Flowchart

Contact Tracing

When a lab-confirmed case is reported to the OCHD, a staff person (case investigator) from OCHD will contact the confirmed case and their parent/guardian in the case of a student. The confirmed case is interviewed and contacts identified. School personnel assist health department in identifying specifics pertaining to the exposure.

When a COVID-19 positive case is reported to the school, Health Services will assist the OCHD in identifying those who are contacts and who need to quarantine.All contacts of confirmed case are interviewed to determine exposure risk. 

Quarantine Process

• In-classroom activities: All fully vaccinated* individuals (students, teachers, and staff), who have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19 may continue to attend or work at school, regardless of booster status, while quarantined outside of school. This recommendation continues previous guidance in place prior to January 4. Continued attendance applies only to participation in classroom activities and taking the bus to and from school.
  • Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the receipt of either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine or full course of any other recognized vaccine.
• Extracurricular or after school activities: Individuals 12 years and older who are eligible for a booster but not boosted, and who have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, cannot participate in extracurricular or after school activities and, aside from school attendance for instruction and bus travel, must adhere to a 5-day quarantine at home. Fully vaccinated 5-11-year-old children are not eligible for a booster and have no further restrictions.
• Students, teachers, and staff who are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series who came into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after their last close contact These individuals could be eligible for Test to Stay programs that would allow them to stay in the school setting during the quarantine period. Outside the school setting, quarantine recommendations would apply.
• Isolation: Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for a minimum of 5 days (regardless of vaccination status). If symptoms persist, further isolation will be required; otherwise, they may attend or work at school after the 5-day isolation.

People with Known Exposure to COVID-19 Who Do Not Have Symptoms*

When you have been exposed to COVID-19 and you have no symptoms, you may be unsure as to what to do next.

Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance

 

Ages	Quarantine Duration	Attend or work at school, including travel to/from school (e.g., on bus)
Underage 2 years or unable to wear a well-fitting mask	10 days (masks not recommended for children under age 2)	N/a
Age 2 – 4 years	5 days	No. Unless in Pre-K located at a school with older grades and participating in a test-to-stay program at that school. No extracurriculars that involve other schools.
Age 5 - 11 years Fully Vaccinated	No	Yes
Age 5 - 11 years Not Fully Vaccinated	Yes, 5 days	No. Unless participating in a test-tostay program at school. No extracurriculars that involve other schools.
Age 12 years – Adults Fully Vaccinated and Boosted	No	Yes
Age 12 years – Adults Fully Vaccinated, not yet eligible for booster	No	Yes
Age 12 years – Adults Fully Vaccinated, eligible for booster but not yet boosted	Yes, 5 days	Yes. Testing encouraged. Participate in test-tostay at school if available. No extra-curriculars that involve other schools.
Age 12 years – Adults Not yet Fully Vaccinated	Yes, 5 days	No. Unless participating in a test-to-stay program at school. No extracurriculars that involve other schools.
All ages Tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months (regardless of vaccination status)	No	Yes

 

Testing
Test on whichever comes first: at least 5 days after last exposure (testing recommended but optional if unable to test) or if Symptoms develop.
If positive, isolate for at least 5 days from symptom onset or (if no symptoms) date test was collected

* See specific guidance for individuals in congregate settings and for furlough for healthcare workers.