COVID Isolation and Quarantine

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

SUPERINTENDENT NOTICE: The District would like to thank all of the parents, community members, teachers and staff that have been diligent in staying home when they have symptoms of COVID. Taking immediate action when symptoms arise provides the best possible way to limit COVID exposure to others. Oftentimes it takes several days for the County Health Department to get information from its medical sources in order to take actions to isolate individuals that have tested positive for COVID. After isolation has taken place, the County Health works with the School District to gather contact tracing information so appropriate individuals can be quarantined to limit possible exposure. 

 

Most times the School District has been very fortunate to have parents come forward and share information about a family member’s positive test results. This allows the District to take immediate action and notify County Health so they can begin the quarantine process. County Health communicates quarantine measures and timelines to those who have been identified as a COVID contact. The School District works closely with County Health in the identification process.

 

The identification of COVID contacts is only as good as the honesty provided by those whom County Health interviews. There have been situations where individuals have said they only have had limited contact with an identified positive case, only to have County Health or the School District find out through other sources that there was significant contact. At that point, County Health still quarantines the individual, but in the meantime, limited exposure has been circumvented by a lack of truth. 

 

No one wants to be quarantined. No one wants to get sick. Everyone expects consistency and continuity in our decision-making processes, especially at our school and governmental institutions. Here at Colstrip Public Schools we are doing our best to identify and follow through with COVID procedures shared with us by the County Health Department. If you have maintained social distance and wear a mask, then your chances of avoiding a quarantine greatly improve; however, there are other factors of time and space that are taken into consideration by County Health. The County Health Department has the final say. Investigations are a process; as information is collected, decisions may be adjusted to limit student and staff’s exposure.   

 

I believe that the Rosebud County Health Department is doing their very best to investigate and to mitigate COVID exposure through isolations and quarantines. I know how difficult it is to call people and give them bad news. Some people are very graceful and some aren’t. County Health has a tough job during these pandemic times and Colstrip Public Schools is doing our best to be accurate and supportive. If we don’t get a decision right, we will make the needed corrections. This is a learning process. Please bless us with your grace. Let’s all be as honest and forthright as possible to limit COVID exposure.