If a student or faculty/staff member has COVID-19: regardless of vaccination status, they must stay home for 5 days. The first day in which someone tests positive is considered day 0, regardless of when symptoms began.

If after 5 days they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and their symptoms are improving, they may end isolation but must continue masking while in school through day 10, regardless of if they test negative.

If someone is not able to wear a mask through day 10 then they cannot return to school/work after day 5 and need to continue to quarantine/isolate for 10 days or until they are symptom-free. 

Individuals with moderate illness or severe illness or with a weakened immune system, should isolate through day 10 and consult a doctor before ending isolation.

In order for a positive test result to be ruled false, the school district needs to be provided a negative PCR test. PCR testing is not required otherwise.

At North Adams Public Schools, keeping your students safe and in school is our top priority. With COVID-19 vaccines now readily available, treatments accessible to those at higher risk for severe disease, and widespread availability of self-tests, North Adams Public Schools will focus their efforts and resources on testing symptomatic and vulnerable individuals. This is based on recommendations from DESE, DPH and in line with the most recent CDC guidance issued on Aug 11, 2022

The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools at this time.

Vaccines continue to be the best way to protect individuals against the effects of COVID-19. DESE and DPH strongly recommend that all faculty, staff, and students, including the Commonwealth’s youngest children ages 6 months – 5 years, receive the COVID-19 vaccine primary series and all boosters, as they become eligible for them.  Continue to check back with more information on vaccine clinics in our area. 

If you were exposed to COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status: CDC recommends that instead of quarantining, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested 5 full days after your last exposure (day 6).

If you have COVID-19: regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others for 5 days. If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and your symptoms are improving, you may end isolation but should continue masking around others and in public through day 10. Individuals with moderate illness or severe illness or with a weakened immune system, should isolate through day 10 and consult your doctor before ending isolation.

Week of: March 20, 2023
Last update: 3/27/23