Temporary COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines

Pastors, staff, and parish leaders may follow the below steps when informed of a positive COVID-19 test result in the context of their parish catechetical program. If this occurs, there is no need to shut down or cancel a parish catechetical program. Community members with a healthcare background may assist parish leadership in the below process. The information contained in this memo may also be found on the Diocese of Austin website.
 

1. Determine if the student attended the catechetical program in the 48-hour period before the positive test was administered. If so, continue with the steps below. If not, skip to step number seven. (Per Diocese of Austin Office of Catholic Schools.)
2. Clean and disinfect areas that the ill student(s) occupied.
3. Begin contact tracing. Students in a K - 12 indoor classroom setting with correctly worn masks, good< ventilation, and desks at least 3 feet apart are not be considered a close contact. Please note this< exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting. (Per Diocese of Austin Office of Catholic Schools.) Reference - Who is a COVID-19 Close Contact in a School?
4. Utilizing one of the templates found here and here, notify those who are considered close contact. Reference - How Long to Quarantine.
5. Notify the class that there was a positive case and that those identified as close contacts have been notified separately.
6. Notify your county health department and the Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
7. Continue regular cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing of facilities as recommended in COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Catechesis in the Diocese of Austin.