Asymptomatic and kept kids inside for 10 days - still positive

[Anonymous]

Most people will test positive after having Omicron for several weeks. My kids are fully recovered but I kept them home last week. They're ready to go back and fully healthy.
Does the DCPS know that people can still test positive after getting over Omincron/Covid?
Thank you.

[Anonymous]

We are not in DCPS but had to test to return. My kid tested positive last Monday and has to be out of school until next Thursday. She can then go back without testing again because she will meet the 10 day benchmark. I would think DCPS would do the same.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you. I wrote to the schools when they reopened and told them when my kids got sick, how long we had been home, etc. But, with DCPS you never know who is at the front door testing. I know none of this is easy for the schools. This has disrupted all of our lives. Just wish they had a policy in place for this situation.

[Anonymous]

Are they testing positive on PCR or rapid antigen?

[Anonymous]

op here: positive on my at home tests.

[Anonymous]

I would give them an antigen test today and if it comes up negative, take a picture and email to school, plus bring with you at drop off. You can also explain that they have completed their isolation period. You don’t even have to disclose the positive PCRs — that’s normal and is why most doctors don’t even recommend taking another PCR after the first one that confirms you have it. You can test positive PCRs fir three months.

10 day isolation PLUS no symptoms PLUS negative antigen is and should be gold standard for return.

If you get a positive antigen test you should stay home no matter what. Antigen tests look at your level of infectiousness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here: positive on my at home tests.

then stay home. it was clear from my principal that if you are still testing positive on a rapid, then you are still contagious. it could be delta not omicron

[Anonymous]

You can shed unviable viral particles for much longer than you are contagious. They can’t cultivate those particles in a lab, meaning they’re not infectious, even though those particles can turn a test positive. It’s going to be an issue for a lot of families that complete their 10 day isolation and still test positive.

[Anonymous]

DCPS has not indicated they are continuing rapid tests for every student

[Anonymous]

Did you report the positive tests to DC Health? They'll contact you and give you a letter that you're in the "clear" after a certain date in lieu of a negative test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most people will test positive after having Omicron for several weeks. My kids are fully recovered but I kept them home last week. They're ready to go back and fully healthy.
Does the DCPS know that people can still test positive after getting over Omincron/Covid?
Thank you.

I am in the exact same situation, and was told we need a negative antigen test before his first day back (this Friday), just as we would have needed a negative antigen test for him to return last Thursday. I am also nervous it will be positive after her 10 days of isolation...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people will test positive after having Omicron for several weeks. My kids are fully recovered but I kept them home last week. They're ready to go back and fully healthy.
Does the DCPS know that people can still test positive after getting over Omincron/Covid?
Thank you.

I am in the exact same situation, and was told we need a negative antigen test before his first day back (this Friday), just as we would have needed a negative antigen test for him to return last Thursday. I am also nervous it will be positive after her 10 days of isolation...

This is us exactly and I feel like she's almost certainly going to test negative (we're actually going to test the whole family just to be extra sure). If she tests positive, I'm going to keep her home but talk to the pediatrician. She has zero symptoms. I think our pediatrician will probably give us an all clear after the isolation, and we'll submit that to the school in lieu of a negative test (ideally with an explanation from our doctor explaining) and see if that does it.

Not sure we have any other options. I get why the school needs some documentation. Hopefully she'll just test negative tonight and we'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Are you in DCPS or a charter? We don’t need to test to return at our DCPS if you have a confirmed positive, just isolate for 10 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you in DCPS or a charter? We don’t need to test to return at our DCPS if you have a confirmed positive, just isolate for 10 days.

You are wrong. For this new back to school test period only, everyone needs a negative on either a PCR or a rapid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you in DCPS or a charter? We don’t need to test to return at our DCPS if you have a confirmed positive, just isolate for 10 days.

You are wrong. For this new back to school test period only, everyone needs a negative on either a PCR or a rapid.

Maybe your school is doing it differently, but I have a written communication from our school’s principal saying we can return after our 10 day isolation is over. I sent them an email including a time stamped photo of our test results a few days before the test-to-return deadline, though.