Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility
Weather Alert
Increasing chance of rain this evening
Show Less
Close Alert

Rhode Island releases playbook for possible outbreaks at schools


Rhode Island releases a playbook to deal with possible outbreaks at schools. (WJAR)
Rhode Island releases a playbook to deal with possible outbreaks at schools. (WJAR)
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

An outbreak response playbook for Rhode Island schools was released Friday evening.

It was put together by state leaders and doctors within the state Department of Health as a play-by-play guide with the intent to serve as a "go-to" for all districts across the state.

NBC 10 News asked how one playbook can work and apply to all of the districts.

“Although it’s unique for the schools where we had to tailor it, it is based on solid public health approaches,” said Dr. Philip Chan, a consultant to the state Department of Health.

Chan, who worked on the playbook, said it details testing recommendations and isolation protocol. If someone meets the definition of a "probable cause," the guidance is for them to be sent home, isolate and only return to school after testing negative for the coronavirus or completing required isolation after testing positive.

One of the biggest challenges in designing a playbook is that symptoms in kids are vast.

“There’s lots of kids who may come in with a little bit of a runny nose,” Chan said. “What do you do with that? Is that COVID-19?”

The 24-page book shows solutions for each situation. Chan said if an outbreak happens in a school, it would be solved on a case by case situation. Classes may have to be shut down again, and the playbook should prepare schools for any and all scenarios of hybrid or in-person learning.

"We are expecting in one or two schools, hopefully minimum, that we may see outbreaks," Chan said. "That’s why it’s important to have a virtual curriculum ready to go should that happen."

Chan this isn’t a final decision on how school will resume.

It a tool for teachers and administration no matter what type of instruction they’re entering into in the fall, and there could be changes before then.



Loading ...