When a staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they will notify their direct supervisor and the Office of Human Capital (OHC) of their positive test result. Health Services is also notified of the positive test result.

A close contact is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  as anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period. 

A person infected with COVID-19, can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19.

If your child was identified as a close contact due to an exposure at school you will be notified by your child’s school nurse or a nurse from the BPS Office of Health Services. This notification will come after a consultation with the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC).

If a member of a school community tests positive for COVID-19 and has been in a BPS building during their infectious period, the school leader will share written communication with the school community impacted.

BPS Health Services will begin working on reports of positive cases of COVID-19 upon notification by the individual or a member of the school based team. Once the case investigation is complete, Health Services reviews the specific details with the BPHC to determine who, if anyone, is determined to be a close contact. Those individuals are then  notified by either the Health Services team or the school nurse.

Health Services is notified of both remote and in-person positive cases. Only in-person positive cases are currently reported.  Health Services reports all positive cases to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on a weekly basis.

If your child is experiencing any symptoms that may be related to COVID, please notify the school and keep your child at home. Please screen your child for symptoms daily using the BPS Daily Health Screening checklist.

• Stay home when sick
• Wear a mask
• Maintain social distance- at least 6 feet
• Hand Hygiene- hand washing
• Respiratory Etiquette- cover your cough/sneeze
• Clean and disinfect

How does BPS respond to a positive case of COVID-19?

1. New positive case reported

• BPS Health Services receives a report that a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.

2. BPS interviews positive case

• Health Services interviews positive case (or parent/guardian) about time in school buildings and possible close contacts.
• School-based team helps access testing and medical care.

3. BPS reports case to BPHC

• Health Services reports the case to Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), who conducts all official contact tracing.

4. BPHC gives case-specific guidance

• BPHC determines if there are any close contacts and provides BPS with recommendations for quarantining, cleaning, and communication.

5. BPS activates Rapid Response Team

• Health Services follows up with the School Leader about BPHC recommendations and alerts the COVID-19 Rapid Response Team.
• BPS informs close contacts and provides support.
• Communications team provides school with case-specific communication resources.
  •  School Leader sends letter to school community.
• Facilities team cleans, sanitizes, and disinfects BPS site.