COVID Updates

Post-surge recovery phase

• When your student has tested positive for COVID-19

• When a family member has tested positive for COVID-19

• When your student is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

• When you have any questions or concerns

*Quarantine guidance may be adjusted to respond to and control outbreaks within unique settings as needed.

Kalamazoo County Health Recommendations:

• Individual is exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19 and:

1. Exposure is to a personal/household contact*

• Conduct symptom monitoring for 10 days; and
• Test at least one time if possible 3-7 days after exposure and if symptoms develop; and 
• Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from the date of last exposure to protect others (home quarantine is an alternative for those who are unable or unwilling to mask); and 
• Avoid unmasked activities or activities with higher risk of exposing vulnerable individuals** for 10 days from the date of last exposure

2. Exposure is to other type of contact (from a community, social or work setting) 

• Conduct symptom monitoring for 10 days; and 
• Test if symptoms develop; and 
• Consider wearing a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of last exposure to protect others. At a minimum, wear a mask in settings with higher risk of exposing vulnerable individuals

*Personal/Household contacts include individuals you share living spaces with, including bedrooms, bathrooms, living room and kitchens. It also includes those who live together, sleep over, carpool or have direct exposure to respiratory secretions from a positive individual (e.g., kissing, sharing drinks, changing diapers, etc…). This would include exposure in childcare settings for those under 2 years of age.

At GLCS anyone who is within 0-6 feet of a positive person when the positive and the close contact are both unmasked at the same time for an accumulation of 15 minutes or more.

When a person is around a positive person for an accumulation of 15 minutes or more within 0-6 feet. If the positive person is in the home student(s) may return on day 11 from when the positive person developed symptoms. The 10 day quarantine restarts anytime anyone else in the home develops symptoms or tests positive.

Nurse Megan will send an email to the parents/guardians listed on file if your student was in the same classroom as a positive person. Please note your student does not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms. Your student may or may not have been near the positive person in an accumulation of 15 minutes or more, but please monitor your student for symptoms.

The GLHS testing center will continue to be available to those who wish to access free rapid tests. Please keep your student home and it is recommended to have them tested 24 hours after symptom onset. If the test is negative and the student is fever, vomit, and/or diarrhea free for 24 hours they may return to school. If you do not want to test your student, your student needs to remain home until symptom free.  Even if you have not received notification from the school that your student is a close contact, and even if your student is fully vaccinated please test if your student develops symptoms. 

Symptoms to watch out for (may be one or a combination of the following):

• Temperature 100.4 F or higher, or signs of a fever (chills/sweating)

• Sore throat

• Cough (sometimes barky)

• Headache

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Loss of taste/smell

• Nasal congestion

• Fatigue

• Muscle/Body aches

If a student exhibits any or a combination of the symptoms listed above they are to be sent to the office to be picked up from school. The student may return to school if:

• at least 24 hours fever, vomit, and/or diarrhea free without medication
  AND

• no symptoms OR a negative COVID-19 test taken at or after 24 hours of symptom onset.

The student may return to school if:

• at least 24 hours fever, vomit, and/or diarrhea free without medication

AND

• no symptoms OR a negative COVID-19 test taken at or after 24 hours of symptom onset. 

Please Note:  Testing on or after the 24 hour mark can be done at the GLCS testing center, or we will accept proof from an outside agency or home tests. An image will need to be emailed to your student’s building secretary. 

Kellogg Elementary: mshepherd@gulllakecs.org, sgambee@gulllakecs.org 

Richland Elementary: jwalters2@gulllakecs.org, apuroll@gulllakecs.org 

Ryan Intermediate: mmauzy@gulllakecs.org, ambell@gulllakecs.org

GLMS: jthorn@gulllakecs.org, jpickens@gulllakecs.org

GLHS: sbuelow@gulllakecs.org, svandersalm@gulllakecs.org 

The positive student or staff member may return on day 11. Day “0” is the day symptoms begin or day test was taken for those without symptoms. The student or staff member may return on day 6 as long as there has been no fever, vomiting, or diarrhea for at least 24 hours, other symptoms improving, and a mask is worn in any indoor setting (including athletics) until day 11. Additional testing is not required to return to school.

GLCS has a testing site at the Gull Lake High School. The testing center is a walk-in facility with no appointment required from 8am-10am, Monday through Friday as long as school is in session.

Please note:  the testing center will not be open when school is closed due to inclement weather. And will be closed on the following dates: May 13, 2022, May 23, 2022 and May 24th,2022.

A consent form is required, and students 5th grade and younger need to be accompanied by an adult. BinaxNow rapid tests are used. This is a free service and is open to any student or staff member who feels they need to be tested.

See the Testing Center Process to the Right. Also, here is a link for community testing locations.