CDC Expected To Ease School COVID Guidelines: What It Means In IL

ILLINOIS — Federal health authorities are expected to soon ease COVID-19 guidelines for schools, according to a new report.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could announce the changes in the coming days, CNN reported. The CDC is expected to ease guidelines that address screening for the virus, as well as social distancing recommendations.

Regular COVID-19 screening in schools will likely be de-emphasized and the new measures are expected to loosen quarantine guidelines for those exposed to the virus, according to a preview of the plan obtained by CNN. The agency also reportedly plans to de-emphasize the 6-foot social distancing rule.

Instead of consistent screenings in schools, the CDC will likely suggest that testing be based on COVID-19 community levels and on higher-risk settings, such as nursing homes and prisons. The proposed changes have been revealed to some educators and public health officials and haven’t been finalized, as they are still being discussed, according to the report.

If enacted, the changes to COVID-19 guidelines are in line with COVID-19 policies for schools in Illinois.

Currently, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, COVID-19 testing is still strongly recommended for students or school staff with COVID-19-like symptoms, including severe headache, shortness of breath, a new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of sense of taste or smell, fatigue from an unknown cause or muscle or body aches.

"When suspicion of COVID-19 is high due to other symptoms, school health officials should isolate students/staff," IDPH said. For those who test positive, have been exposed to a confirmed case, or have COVID-19-like symptoms without testing, IDPH recommends isolating for at least five calendar days and returning to school if they haven't had a fever, diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours.

Under current guidance, those who have isolated for five days and then returned to school are urged to wear a mask through day 10 if they are able to mask. Those who cannot wear a mask are urged to isolate for 10 days, according to IDPH.

"The local health department may supply dates as to when a student or staff member can return to school, otherwise schools should permit return consistent with this guidance," IDPH said. "(A) letter from (the) local health department releasing the student or staff member from isolation or quarantine is not required."

The CDC did not comment on the report stating changes to COVID-19 guidelines were coming soon and offered Patch the following statement:

“The CDC is always evaluating our guidance as science changes and will update the public as it occurs.”

Illinois has also eased vaccine requirements in recent months. While K-12 school staff must still get tested or test weekly under current guidelines, a vaccine mandate for college students and employees was eliminated in June.

A school mask mandate was lifted in February in Illinois.

COVID-19 guidelines have varied widely even since 2020 when the pandemic began. Several states and local governments have since removed many or all restrictions.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law in March allowing parents to opt their children out of wearing masks at school, even in districts that mandate them. Local governments and schools in Texas and Florida have been barred from requiring masks since May 2021, when governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis signed executive orders in their respective states.

Conversely, employees and volunteers at public schools in Washington, D.C. are required to be vaccinated, with exceptions for religious beliefs or medical conditions. In California, school staff must be vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.