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A Message from the School System Medical Officer

Posted On August 30, 2023
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COVID-19 update.jpg

In case you missed it, the following message regarding COVID-19 procedures for the 2023-2024 school year was emailed to staff on Monday, Aug. 28.

Dear MCPS Staff Members,

Please note that updated COVID-19 procedures for the 2023-2024 school year have been posted on the MCPS website and can be found at the COVID-19 Information Portal, and summarized in the Back-to-School Message linked on that page. I encourage everyone to review district procedures and the additional resources so they can understand their own health risks and make informed decisions. Information about accessing testing and vaccines is also on the MCPS COVID-19 Information Portal. A few points specifically for staff members:

  1. COVID-19 Vaccination
    • Vaccination is strongly encouraged for staff members; documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination or exemption is no longer required. Routine COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated staff members is not required.
  1. If you are sick with COVID-19
    • Employees with a new COVID-19 infection are required per CDC recommendations to isolate at home for a minimum of five days. They can return as early as day 6 if they are feeling well enough, and have not had a fever in >24 hours, and can mask through day 10. After day 6, anyone with two daily consecutive negative COVID-19 rapid tests can end the masking period.
    • Online reporting of new positive COVID-19 cases through the MCPS Self-Report tool is no longer required. Staff members should notify their supervisor if they are absent due to COVID-19 and provide documentation of their positive COVID-19 test.
  1. Staff absence due to COVID-19
    • COVID-19 leave expired June 30, 2023.
    • Employees should use sick leave if absent due to COVID-19, or other leave as appropriate if due to family member illness or if leave has been exhausted.
    • To take sick leave due to COVID, employees should provide documentation of their positive COVID-19 test. For COVID-19 specifically, MCPS Form 440-35 (Certification of Physician or Health Care Provider) will be required for absences 10 days or longer. A reminder that for all other cases of absence due to illness, this form is required for five days or more.
    • For more information on leave procedures, visit the ERSC website.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy school year! 

Patricia Kapunan, M.D., MPH
School System Medical Officer