Fresno’s Central Unified schools change COVID-19 safety protocols as omicron surges

Central Unified students who test positive for COVID-19 now only have to quarantine for five days and can return to classes on day six.

The new quarantine protocols were announced Tuesday night during the Central Unified board meeting.

The changes are similar to what other area school districts have done in accordance with the most recent Centers for Disease Control quarantine time recommendation.

The change also comes amid a recent surge of the omicron variant in Fresno County.

Fresno County Department of Health’s Dr. John Zweifler spoke via telephone during Tuesday’s meeting, giving safety recommendations and warning that the omicron variant of COVID-19 is infecting greater numbers of people.

“We are seeing more cases than we have seen anytime during the pandemic,” Zweifler said. “Omicron is probably the most infectious viral disease that we’ve encountered in recent memory.”

Almost 4,600 new cases were reported in Fresno County over the weekend, as well as 12 additional deaths that were officially attributed to COVID-19.

Zweifler said schools are “inherently high-risk” places and said students and staff should wear fitted masks such as N95 masks. He also said that all those who can get vaccinated should.

The district also rolled its updated protocols for shutting down classrooms and schools if and when outbreaks occur. The district said the county health department would investigate and track infections whenever two or more cases are reported in the same classroom.

The health department investigators will work with district leaders to determine the appropriate steps, including anything from limited quarantines to a full school shutdown.

Quarantined students will continue learning remotely.

No schools at Central Unified have closed due to COVID-19, district spokesperson Gilbert Magallon said Tuesday.

At least one Fresno County district temporarily shut down its schools this week due to staffing shortages caused by COVID-19 infections. Sierra Unified schools said all students would learn from home until Jan 18.

This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM.