4.28.22 Marin Public Health COVID Update/End of School Events

Marin County COVID Update | End of School Events

C OV I D – 19 C OMMU NI T Y T R ANS MI S S I ON I N MAR I N C OU NTY I S HI GH

Dear Marin County school community:

Marin County Public Health is monitoring a significant increase in school-related COVID-19 cases, including multiple outbreaks related to post-Spring Break exposures and attendance at indoor events and gatherings without masks.

End-of-year school events and gatherings, including proms and graduation ceremonies, are significant and important life events for students and their families and friends. But attending a large event or gathering (> 50 persons), especially indoors and unmasked, increases the risk of COVID-19 exposure. When COVID-19 community transmission levels are high, there is a 50% chance that at least 1 COVID-19 positive individual will be present at the event.

Marin County Public Health recommends the following personal protective measures to decrease the risk of COVID-19 exposure and outbreaks.

• Students and staff should complete a same-day, rapid antigen COVID-19 test prior to attending a large indoor event or gathering. If they test positive (regardless of symptoms), they should stay home and isolate.
• Students and staff who attend a large indoor event or gathering should monitor for symptoms and test for COVID-19 5 days after the event or sooner if they develop
  • They should limit their contact with and wear a mask around persons who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness until they test negative 5 days after attending the event.
• All eligible students and staff should get vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) before attending a higher risk event or gathering.
  • Parents / guardians should consider getting a 2^nd booster for adolescents 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
  • Household members who are over 50 years old and immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness should get a 2^nd booster.

Additionally, Marin County Public Health advises schools and event organizers that are hosting large indoor events and gatherings (> 50 persons) to consider:

• Requiring proof of a negative same-day antigen test to attend
• Requiring vaccine verification to attend
• Requiring masks indoors

Thank you for your ongoing support in creating safer environments where students thrive.

Sincerely,

Matt Willis, MD, MPH                                                                                     Lisa M. Santora, MD, MPH

Health Officer                                                                                                Deputy Public Health Officer