Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools will be following new quarantine guidelines issued by the Ohio Department of Health with guidance from the Ottawa County Health Department.

If a student or staff has exposure to a person who is COVID-19 positive in a classroom or in school transportation (school bus), they will be on a limited quarantine, assuming that everyone is wearing masks and staying as distanced as possible. The student or staff may come to school and participate in their regular school day (academics, recess, lunch) but may not participate in any activity beyond the regular school day including extra-curricular activities, athletics or clubs.

This is based on recent studies that have shown that exposure in classrooms or buses is low risk. If there is an outbreak (more than one new positive case) in a classroom or school transportation there may be a need to fully quarantine additional persons in consultation with the health department.

If a student/staff member has exposure to a person who is COVID-19 positive in any other setting besides the classroom or school transportation, such as during an athletic practice, during lunch or Physical Education when masks are off, or at home, that person will be required to do a full quarantine..

B-C-S will be maintaining two lists: Students and staff who are on full quarantine, and students and staff who are on a limited quarantine. Both quarantines are 14 days in length.

Continue to report the fact that you have tested positive outside the school setting to your school building office or School Nurse Nicole Glaser.

Full quarantine means: Maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others and wear a mask when around other people. Self-monitor for symptoms through day 14. (Check temperature twice a day, watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.) Persons who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or who test positive for COVID-19 should self-isolate and follow recommendations for discontinuing isolation.

The COVID-19 vaccines for staff who want them may come as early as the week of Feb. 1, but that is not confirmed. B-C-S is working closely with the Ottawa County Health Department on planning for the logistics of vaccinations.