DHEC & SDOC COVID-19 Update

SDOC Quarantine Guidelines Update

Due to updated information from the CDC, the School District of Oconee County has adjusted quarantine guidelines for schools. These guidelines were effective as of Thursday, December 3rd.  Students and staff will now be required to quarantine for 10 days, instead of 14 days, from the last exposure to an individual who tested positive. For those currently quarantined, the quarantine period will be shortened by 4 calendar days.  The district is working to reach out to these individuals to adjust their return to school date. At this time, the district will not implement the option for students and staff to return after 7 days with evidence of a negative test. This decision was made considering demands on school personnel and due to the complexity of managing multiple quarantine lengths and verifying test results. 

COVID-19 Rapid Testing

Governor McMaster recently announced that all South Carolina schools will have the ability to offer rapid COVID-19 testing to students and staff who are symptomatic. A parent permission form will be required before any student can be tested.  SDOC is currently completing the required certification and training process.  The School District anticipates beginning testing upon return from Christmas break. 

From DHEC:

Late last week, South Carolina reported the highest number of daily cases than at any time throughout the pandemic, with more than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19. On Sunday, in Anderson County there were 112 new cases and three deaths; in Pickens County, DHEC reported 148 new cases and three deaths. Here in Oconee County, numbers from Sunday revealed 49 new cases of coronavirus.