Clovis Unified loosening COVID-19 protocol. Here is what’s coming to an end

Clovis Unified is ending some of its COVID-19 protocol, including the end of contact tracing, the school district announced.

The changes went into effect Thursday after receiving school guidance updates from the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

As part of Clovis Unified updates in dealing with COVID-19:

• Contact tracing will no longer occur for close contacts following a positive case report, and ends the quarantine of symptom-free siblings following a positive household contact
• Classroom exposure letters will also no longer be generated after a COVID case report
• Student testing no longer will be required for co-curricular programs. However, when teams travel outside of Fresno County, students compete will still be required to follow any CIF or event protocols within the county where the event is held
• Testing of students returning prior to Day 11 after a positive COVID test will continue, as will the expectation that household members of a positive case self-monitor for symptoms. The district still is offering free COVID-19 testing as a service to help students return to class as soon as possible.

“We are grateful to see COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations decreasing to a point that such changes can be made and will continue to partner with our local and state health officials on future updates to K-12 school protocols,” Clovis Unified said in a news release. “These new updates allow students who are no showing symptoms and who have not tested positive for COVID-19 to remain at school, and only those students who are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19 to stay home.”

Clovis Unified still is requiring face masks to be worn indoors for students and for staff when students are present, as part of a California mandate. The masks rules are requires for grades K-12.

The loosened protocols are a reflection of COVID-19 conditions continuing to show improvements around the state and county, Clovis Unified said.

This story was originally published February 17, 2022 at 7:03 PM.