COVID Protocols
Bibb County School District COVID-19 Guide for 2023-24
COVID-19 Protocols for 2023-2024
Please review the updated COVID-19 protocols for Bibb County School District. This information is subject to revision based on continued guidance throughout the school year by the CDC, Georgia Department of Public Health (GaDPH), and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).
Student and staff health and wellness is a priority for the Bibb County School District. As such, the District continues to monitor the spread of all communicable or infectious diseases within our community and schools or facilities. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools and facilities safe.
- End of Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration (CDC, May 2023): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/end-of-phe.html
- GaDPH Disease Reporting Information: https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/disease-reporting
HELP PREVENT ILLNESS
To support the health and wellness of all, individuals should remain home if they feel unwell and should consider contacting their medical provider if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
GUIDANCE
NOTE: Updated on March 5, 2024, following release of updated CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health Guidelines
CDC has updated their guidance for COVID for the general public to align with other respiratory diseases, such as influenza and RSV. These updated recommendations do not apply to those that work in healthcare settings.
The new guidance states the following:
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
- Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
- If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
Resources:
https://dph.georgia.gov/isolation-contact
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/faq.html
NOTIFICATION PROTOCOLS
- The Bibb County School District remains in close contact with the Georgia Department of Public Health (GaDPH) / North Central Health District and will follow protocols of GaDPH notifiable diseases by reporting clusters of positive cases of COVID-19 to GaDPH. The safety and well-being of students and staff is one of our top priorities. For GaDPH / NCHD information, visit https://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/.
- COVID-positive individuals should isolate according to recommended public health guidelines.
- While it is not mandatory, if a student or employee tests positive for COVID-19, he/she is requested to notify the teacher, principal or supervisor. Principals will notify the school nurse and attendance clerk. Non-school staff are requested to notify their supervisor. Reporting cases of COVID-19 to BCSD will help the District to follow GaDPH reporting protocols for cluster cases. *Please note, BCSD follows similar protocols for reporting cluster cases of flu.
- The Bibb County School District will maintain student health data through SchoolCare (formerly CareDox), which is monitored by school nurses. Clusters of positive cases of communicable or infectious diseases in Bibb County School District settings will be reported to GaDPH, per GaDPH guidelines.
GET VACCINATED
COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are not required but are strongly recommended and encouraged for any eligible individual.
Where to get vaccinated:
- Macon-Bibb County Health Department, 1600 Forsyth Street, Macon. For more information, visit https://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/covid-19-vaccine/. Appointments are not required; however, individuals may schedule vaccination appointments with the health department by calling 478-749-0179.
- Visit www.vaccines.gov to plug in your ZIP code and find a location providing vaccinations near you.
Bibb County School District
COMMUNICATE WITH US: Send us a message through Let's Talk!
Website: www.bcsdk12.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bibbschools
X, formerly Twitter: @bibbschools
Bibb County School District is located in Macon, GA, with about 22,000 students.