Last Updated on March 29, 2021 1:08 pm
The Watauga County Schools system is making changes to the daily COVID screening procedure. In an email to be sent to parents and guardians on Monday, Dr. Scott Elliott announces that daily screenings are no longer required per North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. Dr. Elliott states, “However, we believe the screenings have been an effective tool in reminding us of the signs and symptoms of the virus and of the importance of staying home if we are symptomatic.”
Starting today, the daily screening procedure will include a reminder of the most common COVID symptoms followed by two questions:
- In the last 24 hours, have you exhibited any COVID-like signs or symptoms?
- Has anyone in your household been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
Dr. Elliott went on to say, “We will no longer take each person’s temperature as that has not proven to be an effective strategy for detecting the virus.”
He reminds everyone that though we have made a lot of progress, the virus is still present in our community and we must continue to protect our children and ourselves.
Local physicians and public health officials continue to urge everyone to take the following precautions:
- Wear your mask. This is a requirement of everyone who comes onto a school campus for any reason, including outdoor and athletic events. People who refuse to wear a mask should not come to school or school activities.
- Keep sick children at home and call the school nurse if your child is exhibiting COVID symptoms.
- Take precautions when interacting with others outside of your household.
- Get the shot. Most of our students contract the virus from an adult family member.
While K-5 grades have returned to a four day a week in-person schedule, middle and high school students will return to that same schedule starting April 12, following Spring Break.
A copy of the poster the school system will use during the screening process is below.
