Last Tuesday’s return to school marked the highest COVID-19 case count for the Mountain View–Los Altos District, with 170 students and staff members reporting positive tests. The Talon compiled a list of frequently asked questions with responses to clear up any confusion regarding testing and quarantine policies. 

**This guidance will change for those who have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days. For specific questions, email [email protected]

Questions:

What should I do if my COVID-19 test comes back as positive? 

Regardless of whether a positive result came from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or an at-home rapid antigen test, upon receiving a positive result, students and staff must start their 10 day quarantine immediately and notify the District using the appropriate links (student link, staff link). If the test result came from an antigen test, students and staff should take a formal PCR test and submit that test to the District, but “day 0” of quarantine should mark the first positive test result they received. 

How long should I quarantine? 

MVLA is currently following the CDC’s recommendation of a  five day quarantine period. All students should be quarantined for five days, with “day 0” as the day their test comes back as positive and “day six” as the day they can return to school. 

All students must follow these quarantine guidelines except for asymptomatic students who initially tested positive with a rapid antigen test but their confirmation PCR test came back as negative. 

Asymptomatic students are not required to quarantine while waiting for their test results. 

What should I do if I’m experiencing symptoms? 

Stay at home and take a COVID-19 test. If positive, students should refer to the first question for guidance. Even if a student’s COVID-19 test comes back as negative, the District is requiring all symptomatic students to stay at home until their symptoms are relieved. Students are recommended to take antigen tests for return because they don’t detect “dead” COVID-19 like PCR tests do. 

Will school go back online? 

MVLA hasn’t received county or state guidance on a transition to remote learning, so currently the District isn’t planning on a transition. However, schools may momentarily transition to an online format if there aren’t enough substitute teachers to cover for the teachers who have to quarantine. Currently, MVLA is able to cover all teachers out on quarantine, however MVLA is unable to create and execute a remote learning plan without state and county guidance. 

What will the school do to ensure that students in quarantine are able to keep up with their classes?

Because of state guidelines, the District cannot mandate teachers to set up Zoom meetings for quarantined students to virtually attend class, but some teachers have been setting up this type of “hybrid” model in their classrooms. Quarantined students should email their teachers immediately and they’ll receive work to complete over the course of their quarantine. Students will also be given ten extra days to complete all work, and extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. 

Why am I not receiving close contact notifications anymore? 

The District has stopped sending students close contact notifications because of the rapid rate at which positive COVID-19 tests are being reported. Instead, students are encouraged to test one or more times a week. 

Where can I get tested? 

The District is providing all students with two free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests to take home and is also offering free PCR testing in front of the Eagle theater. 

What are the mask/social distancing regulations? 

The District is following all county guidelines in terms of masking and social distancing guidelines. Everyone is required to wear masks that cover their nose and mouth at all times indoors, and the District is also encouraging students to wear masks outdoors as well. There are currently no social distancing requirements. 

Matthew Kim, Ryan Bell and Andrew RiosSandoval contributed to the reporting on this story.