COVID-19 Symptoms, Exposure, and Diagnosis Protocols
The protocols below are written for parents/students, but the same protocols are in effect for Waynflete employees.
If an individual is experiencing symptoms, has been exposed to COVID-19, or has tested positive for COVID-19, please follow the appropriate protocol below. Contact with any questions.
Individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
Test, monitor, and mask to return to school.
Test
Test prior to being cleared to return to campus using any of the three testing options listed below. Rapid antigen tests are not as accurate as molecular/NAAT and PCR tests at identifying the newest variants. We recommend options 1 or 2 below to rule out COVID-19.
- Molecular/NAAT test or PCR test
- Two home rapid antigen tests (e.g., BinaxNOW) 24-48 hours apart, per manufacturer instructions. You may attend school after the first test result if you remain masked, but you must email the second test result.
Monitor symptoms
If the test result is negative and symptoms are improving, and the individual is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, send test results to .
Mask
Wear a well-fitted KN95-type mask indoors until symptoms have fully resolved.
Note: current COVID-19 variants may not be identified by tests—especially rapid antigen tests—during early onset of symptoms. If symptoms persist, please continue to test (ideally with a PCR or molecular/NAAT test, which are more accurate than rapid tests) and contact your healthcare provider.
Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19
For all exposures:
- Test: at minimum, test on days one and three after exposure (daily testing is encouraged; rapid antigen tests are allowed, though a PCR/NAAT on day one is recommended). In addition, take a PCR or molecular/NAAT test on day five (or as close as possible thereafter) after exposure. Send all test results to . NOTE: instead of a PCR/NAAT test on day five, an alternate option is taking two additional rapid antigen tests—on days 5 and 7 after exposure.
- Monitor symptoms: individuals may attend school with negative test results but must monitor carefully for symptoms. COVID-19 can present with mild symptoms such as a scratchy throat or congestion.
- Mask: wear a well-fitted, high-quality KN95-type mask indoors for ten days following exposure.
Individuals who test positive are encouraged to isolate from the others in their home as age appropriate. These individuals should wear a high-quality, well-fitted KN95-type mask in the home if they must interact with other household members.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19
- Inform the health team () of the diagnosis and follow all CDC requirements.
- Stay home for at least five days (CDC defines day one as the day after the positive test).
- On day 6, if the individual has no symptoms or symptoms are resolving, and they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, they may take a rapid-test to be cleared to return.
- Rapid test to return to school:
- On the morning of day six, the individual may test with an antigen test (not a PCR or molecular/NAAT test, which can show a positive result for up to 90 days) to determine whether they are now negative.
- Use a home rapid antigen test and send a photo of the result to . Alternatively, contact the health team and we will provide a rapid test upon arrival on campus that morning.
- If the rapid test is still positive on day six, the individual can try again each day (between days 6–10) until the test is negative. Please send a photo of each test to .
- The individual may return to school on any day between days 6–10 that they have a negative rapid test.
- The individual may return to school on day 11 regardless of the rapid test result.
- Per CDC and Waynflete, individuals who return before day 11 are REQUIRED to wear a well fitting KN95-type mask from days 6–10, indoors and outdoors.
If the individual is in the EC program, they may need to return for half-days only during days 6–10 as we cannot accommodate unmasked nap time. Please discuss with the health team for more information.
Testing locations
If an individual is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, we recommend contacting their primary care provider as the provider’s facility may provide COVID-19 testing.
Below is a list of additional options for local test sites. This information is subject to change. It is best to call the site or consult their website to confirm information prior to your visit.
- COVID-19 testing in Maine – this site allows you to select testing sites by county and type of test (some sites may be free if part of the state’s swab-and-send program)
- MaineHealth testing sites – various locations
- Convenient MD – various locations
- Northern Light – Mercy Fore River – Portland
- CVS – various locations
- Walgreens – various locations
