Texas State Health Department Works With Texas Education Agency To Update COVID-19 Guidelines

Despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, schools have decided it was imperative to continue with in-person classes but taking extra precautions to maintain students, teachers, and staff safe. 

At the end of last year, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials cut isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans from 10 to 5 days and also shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.

However, last week a Texas schools health update changed the suggested quarantine period for educators.

Texas educators who are sick with COVID-19 can quarantine for five days and return to the classroom if they have no symptoms, while COVID-19 positive Texas students should still follow Department of State Health Services guidance to not attend in-person classes for at least 10 days after symptoms begin.

Last week, the CDC echoed these recommendations for health protocols for K-12 schools.

The Texas state health department is reviewing its guidance in light of the CDC update and is working with the Texas Education Agency, DSHS spokesman Chris Van Deusen said earlier this week, as reported by Dallas Morning News.