Latest Guidance Addresses Vaccinations, Masking, and Layered Prevention Strategies

Columbus, Ohio – (Aug. 5, 2021) The Ohio Department of Health released the latestĀ Guidelines for Quarantine After Exposure in K-12 Classroom Settings. Along with this guidance, a detailedĀ K-12 classroom exposure quarantine flowchartĀ addresses various scenarios based on school-wide preventive strategies, as well as the vaccination and masking status of the student, teacher, or staff member who was exposed to someone with COVID-19 in a classroom setting.

ā€œIn-person learning is very important for the cognitive, social, and emotional development of our children,ā€ explained Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Bruce Vanderhoff, MD. ā€œDeveloping guidelines that will allow well-protected students to be able to remain in the classroom as much as possible ā€“ even if there has been an exposure to COVID-19 ā€“ help facilitate that important in-person learning this year.ā€

ā€œWhile children are less likely than adults to get severely ill from COVID-19, they are not invincible and most certainly can, and do, become ill,ā€ Dr. Vanderhoff stated. ā€œJust like adults, when children become sick from COVID-19, they spread it to others, and can suffer severe health outcomes, or even death. Young children who arenā€™t yet eligible for vaccines, and those who havenā€™t yet chosen to be vaccinated, should wear masks indoors, including in schools. For those ages 12 and up, vaccines remain our best protection against COVID-19.ā€

The guidance is available at:

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available throughout the state. Many providers offer walk-in appointments, or Ohioans can schedule a vaccination appointment at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. Ohioans who want to learn more about the safety, efficacy, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines should talk to their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine to learn more.