Tracing and Tracking. Metrics • Responsible Parties should identify clearly defined measures that will serve as warning signs that the level of COVID-19 transmission may be increasing in the school setting beyond an acceptable level, as defined by state and local health departments. o Responsible Parties must include a process in their plan if/when COVID-19 cases are discovered at school, including closing areas or classes where individuals were infected or more broadly the entire school in consultation with the local health department. o Responsible Parties may choose to modify operations prior to instituting school-wide closures to help mitigate a rise in cases. Notification • Responsible Parties must notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual in school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Tracing Support • In the case of an individual testing positive, Responsible Parties must develop plans to support local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual, in accordance with the protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program. Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state law and regulations. Responsible Parties must cooperate with state and local health department contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine efforts. o If feasible, Responsible Parties may offer optional tracing and tracking technology (e.g., mobile applications) to streamline contact tracing and communication process among their students, faculty, staff, parents/legal guardians of students, and community. o Responsible Parties should partner with local health departments to train older students, faculty, and staff to undertake contact tracing efforts for populations in school facilities and on school grounds, where feasible. Quarantine, Isolation, and Return to School • State and local health departments will implement monitoring and movement restrictions of COVID- 19 infected or exposed persons, including isolation or quarantine. • Responsible Parties must ensure that reporting plans are in place for individuals who are alerted that they have come into close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19, and have been alerted to such exposure via tracing, tracking or other mechanism. • Responsible Parties should refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning ...
