LOCS Info and Protocols

On March 15, 2022, the OCHD changed its recommendation regarding in home exposure and quarantine guidelines.

The new guidance for individuals who share a home with someone who has tested positive is for exposed individual to monitor for symptoms and wear a mask when around others for 10 days. 

Based on this change, LOCS will no longer require in home exposures to quarantine, and will recommend they monitor for symptoms and wear a mask for 10 days.

No.

On Friday evening, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidance, immediately lifting the mask requirement on school transportation.

“Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.”

LOCS administrators closely watch the area metrics within the LOCS schools and the general population of the Orion-area community, with data provided publicly and privately from the Oakland County Health Division and will continue to remain in contact moving forward.

A few of the specific metrics that help make the decision to make masks optional:

• The LOCS COVID-19 cases per 10,000 number continues to drop. 
• The age level COVID data for the county, as well as in our district boundaries, continues to drop.
• The LOCS daily reports of Covid reflect the same downward trend in positive cases.
• LOCS monitors its student attendance rates, which have been consistent for quite some time.
• LOCS also monitors the health of its staff daily, recognizing if there is a concern regarding operational issues.
• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also is withdrawing the Public Health Advisory on indoor public settings, including school settings, to reflect that Michigan is entering a post-surge, recovery phase.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Head Start program requires individuals to continue to wear masks. As a federal requirement, the order supersedes any changes to the OCHD order.

Yes, beginning February 28, masking will become a family/staff member decision within LOCS.

The Oakland County Health Division announced on February 11 that it will lift its requirement to wear masks in K-12 schools and daycares on February 28, 2022.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, LOCS has followed the OCHD requirements and considered guidance and will continue to do so.

In making its decision, OCHD cited it "weighed several factors to determine the appropriate time to end the mask requirement in schools, including a sharp decline in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and increasing vaccination rates in Oakland County."

That drop is reflected on the LOCS COVID-19 dashboard in recent days as well.

The LOCS Administration will continue to stay in contact with OCHD and will communicate more information to the community as necessary.

With the recent Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for youth aged 5-11, all school-aged youth (aged 5-18) can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Oakland County Health Division will hold  vaccine clinics at county schools listed below. Please make an appointment at OaklandCountyVaccine.com or by calling 1-800-848-5533. Anyone under 18 must have a parent/guardian present.

The County is also investing in additional advertising for pediatric COVID-19 vaccines so please keep an eye out for that if our clinic location does not work for your schedule. The Health Division has additional community vaccine clinics available on their website, OaklandCountyVaccine.com. Visit Oakland County Health Division’s ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ webpage to learn more about vaccine safety, eligibility, and what to expect at your appointment.

Oakland County’s Nurse on Call is also available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to answer any health-related questions at 1-800-848-5544.

Our legal guidance is we must follow the health order as they have the authority to dictate health and safety protocols.

• LOCS will not be able to guarantee that for your student. Due to privacy, LOCS has not and will not be asking staff or students about their vaccination status. It is a personal choice and decision and private health information of each individual.

On March 15, 2022, the OCHD changed its recommendation regarding in home exposure and quarantine guidelines.

The new guidance for individuals who share a home with someone who has tested positive is for exposed individual to monitor for symptoms and wear a mask when around others for 10 days. 

Based on this change, LOCS will no longer require in home exposures to quarantine, and will recommend they monitor for symptoms and wear a mask for 10 days.

(UPDATED March 16, 2022)

• The Oakland County Health Division announced on February 11, 2022 that it will lift its requirement to wear masks in K-12 schools and daycares on February 28, 2022. Beginning February 28, masking became a family/staff member decision within LOCS.

UPDATED February 28, 2022

• On Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidance, immediately lifting the mask requirement on school transportation.

  “Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.”

UPDATED FEBRUARY 25, 2022

• LOCS made significant improvements to the ventilation system prior to the 2021-22 school year and those remain in place.
• The air is recycled eight times per hour within classrooms through the HVAC system and MERV 13 filters are used.
• HEPA filters are placed in multiple areas throughout various buildings to add an additional layer of air quality.
• LOCS is continuing air quality improvements throughout the school year.

• Students and staff will be asked to continue proper hygiene practices.
• Regular handwashing will be a critical element as will students and staff covering their mouths and nose when sneezing or coughing.
• Staff will remind students of these practices, especially in the lower elementary grades.

• Custodians will continue to clean the buildings on a daily basis.
• The CDC has determined that  once-a-day cleaning is effective in reducing the live virus on surfaces.

• LOCS will NOT require Clear To Go for 2021-22.
• Students who are not positive for COVID-19, but show symptoms, should stay home until symptoms have cleared for 24 hours to avoid community spread.
• Students and staff who are exhibiting symptoms should consider getting a  COVID-19 test to determine whether the individual is positive.
• If the student/staff member is COVID-19 positive, that test result should be shared with the school administration.
• Families will be required to complete an online agreement one time at the start of the year, agreeing to monitor their student for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to attending school.

UPDATED October 21, 2021

Contact Tracing is no longer being done by Oakland County Health Division.

UPDATED January 2022

The isolation room will continue to be used for students with COVID-19 symptoms (unrelated to a pre-existing condition.)

According to the OCHD, students will be treated as a potential COVID-19 case if symptoms include one of the following:

• New cough • Shortness of breath • Difficulty breathing • New loss of taste/smell

AND/OR two of the following:

• Fever (100.4 degrees or higher) • Chills (rigors) • Headache • Muscle aches (myalgias) • Sore throat • Fatigue • Diarrhea (2x in 24 hours) • Nausea or vomiting (2x in 24 hours) • Congestion or runny nose

Students who are sent home due to symptoms are to remain home until 24 hours after the symptoms are gone.

UPDATED September 3