Health & Safety

What are the requirements for wearing masks?  

All evidence continues to support the benefits of wearing cloth or medical grade 3 ply disposable masks in limiting the transmission risk for COVID-19.  This simple practice, along with social distancing, and increased hand hygiene is at the core of our community’s shared commitment to protecting one another.  All students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear masks at all times while in public, in the classroom, during sports, and in the dormitories.  Masks are not required to be worn by students in his/her bedroom while alone or with a roommate, and can be removed briefly during mealtimes. Each student should bring a supply of washable cloth masks and the School will have a large supply of “back-up” masks available.  Pursuant to RIDOH guidelines, all students must wear masks (not gaiters) during sports activities, both indoors and outdoors.     

Will there be a process for COVID-19 symptom screening prior to students moving in to the dormitories?  

All students will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 when returning to the dormitories in March 2021.  An evaluation of symptoms, temperature check, and review of recent travel activity will be conducted by the nursing staff as the first stop in the move-in process.  No student will be authorized to move into his/her house until the screening process is complete. 

How many family members can assist with move-in to the dorms, and will parents be screened for symptoms?  

In an effort to limit the number of people on campus, return to the dorms will be staggered and scheduled with assigned times.  Students will be allowed to have one parent or other adult present to assist them with moving in.  Parents will be required to wear masks, self-attest to being asymptomatic for COVID-19 prior to entering the dormitory, and depart campus as soon as the move-in process is complete.   

What is the process for daily COVID-19 symptom screening?  

Students will continue to be screened during every first-period class with a standardized series of COVID-19 symptom-and-exposure questions as recommended by the RIDOH.  In addition, the first-period faculty member will check students’ temperatures with an infrared thermometer and send symptomatic students directly to the Infirmary.  Houseparents complete this process with students on Sundays and on days when classes are not in session.

Will all students be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive on campus in March 2021?   

Students are required to submit evidence of a negative COVID PCR or rapid antigen test completed at home within 72 hours of arrival to campus.  Results should be uploaded to the student’s Magnus Health student medical record. All symptomatic students exhibiting any signs of COVID-19 to include:  cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, recent loss of taste or smell, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny or stuffy nose, or fatigue should NOT come to campus to move into the dorms.  Any student who arrives on campus for move-in and is symptomatic will be tested by the Infirmary staff and instructed to return home until contacted with test results and further instructions.

How will testing be conducted on campus during the Winter Term?  

Weekly on-campus surveillance testing for asymptomatic students will continue every Monday throughout the Spring Term.  Testing is conducted using the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test and is mandatory for all students. 

The Infirmary staff will continue to test all students reporting symptoms consistent with a probable case of COVID-19.  Diagnostic testing for symptomatic students is a two part process.  A point-of-care rapid antigen test is conducted in the Infirmary using the BinaxNOW test or BD Veritor system.  Results are ready in 15 minutes.  Any symptomatic student who tests negative via the antigen test will receive a confirmatory PCR test which will be sent out to East Side Clinical Lab for processing.  Students who are symptomatic must isolate pending the PCR test results.

Day students must stay home whenever they experience symptoms of COVID-19.  Day student parents are encouraged to utilize the Rhode Island Department of Health’s K-12 COVID-19 Test Scheduling Service to schedule a same day appointment for rapid antigen and PCR testing.  The K-12 Test Service phone number is 844-857-1814.  Appointments can be made 7 days per week between the hours of 7:30am and 7pm Mon-Fri, and 8:30am-4:30pm on Sat/Sun.  Tests are available at a choice of multiple drive-up sites within Rhode Island.  Tests will be scheduled Monday – Saturday between the hours of 9am and 5pm.  Day students must isolate at home pending test results. 

What are the quarantine requirements for international students arriving in Rhode Island?

Students entering Rhode Island from any location outside the 50 United States or Washington, DC are required to quarantine and monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 7 days and must have a negative test result (PCR or rapid antigen) taken on day 5 or later.  Students may quarantine with a parent or other adult guardian off-campus and will be required to attest to their date of arrival in Rhode Island and quarantine compliance prior to being allowed to move into the dorm.  Any student who is unable to quarantine off-campus will be allowed to move to campus on March 12, 2021 to begin a supervised 7 day quarantine with testing. 

What are the quarantine requirements for out-of-state students arriving in Rhode Island?

Any student entering Rhode Island from a “hot spot” state with a positivity rate of COVID-19 greater than 5% is required to either present a negative COVID test (PCR or rapid antigen) administered within 72 hours or arrival, or quarantine in Rhode Island until a negative COVID test is obtained.  The states affected by this travel restriction will change as infection rates evolve.  You can check for your state at the following link:  States with Entry Restrictions.   

If I am a Rhode Island resident or live in a state with a low positivity rate, do I have to quarantine prior to arrival on campus for registration?

All Rhode Island resident day and boarding students, as well as students from states not experiencing positivity rates at 5% or above are required submit a negative COVID PCR or rapid antigen test administered within 72 hours or arrival on campus for the Spring Term.  Students are also required to continue limiting contacts during the Spring Term to Portsmouth Abbey community members and family who live in the same household.  Participation in club sports and any non-Portsmouth Abbey group activities are prohibited. 

If I quarantine on campus due to arriving from an international or “hot spot” state, what can I expect?

Quarantine in the dorm for early arrivals to campus will involve strict restriction to your room, wearing of a face mask at all times when outside the room for bathroom trips, and no travel on campus outside the House.  Meals will be delivered from the dining hall and you will be able to go outside each day for exercise and fresh air.  You will be assessed daily for symptoms and a temperature check by an Infirmary nurse.  Students will be housed in St. Martin’s and St. Brigid’s during quarantine. 

If I am diagnosed with COVID-19 during the term, or I have had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person can I remain on campus? 

All students are required to have a local emergency contact on file in the event of a need for isolation due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, or an exposure requiring quarantine.  Students should be picked up by a family member or guardian within 24 hours.  In the event that it is impossible for a student to be picked up within 24 hours, the Infirmary has a limited number of beds to temporarily house students requiring isolation, and there are a limited number of temporary quarantine beds available on campus.  Students may also be temporarily moved to local hotels (with a School chaperone) while waiting for parents or guardians to arrive. 

If I am diagnosed with COVID-19 when may I return to school? 

Students may return to school when they have been home for at least 10 days since symptoms appeared (or 10 days from the date of the positive test if asymptomatic), been fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of antipyretics such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, AND have improved symptoms (feeling back to normal).  Parents must complete the “After Illness Return Attestation” form.  After Illness Return Attestation.

If I was previously diagnosed with COVID, what are my testing and quarantine requirements?

Students who are diagnosed with COVID during school breaks must present a copy of the positive lab result to the Infirmary.  Students will not be re-tested for COVID for 90 days following a positive test.  Students who have tested positive for COVID within the past 90 days are not required to quarantine for travel purposes or if they are in close contact with a COVID positive person.  After the 90 day period, students will be required to test weekly for COVID and will no longer be exempt from quarantine protocols.  Any student diagnosed with COVID during a school break must complete 10 days of isolation, be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and be feeling significantly improved prior to returning to campus. 

Important Information regarding protocols for Isolation and Quarantine:

Isolation vs. Quarantine:  What is the difference?

RIDOH Tips for At Home Quarantine

RIDOH Quarantine and Isolation Information

 

Which Infirmary entrance should I use? 

The Infirmary utilizes the dining hall entrance ONLY for medication distribution and non-illness related visits such immunization appointments, questions for the nursing staff, or injuries (scrapes and cuts, sprains, bloody nose).  Any student who has possible symptoms of infectious illness must enter the Infirmary at the back door, behind the dining hall, where they will be assessed in the clinic office by a nurse wearing appropriate PPE.  Boarding students who feel ill in the morning should NOT attend class, and call the Infirmary at 401-643-1233 (land line) or 401-842-7424 (cell phone) for triage and further instruction.  Students may be given permission by the nurse on duty to stay in the dorm for a period of time for certain medical issues such as migraine headaches.  This will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and students may not stay in the dorm during class time without express permission from the Infirmary nurse on duty.  Visits to the infirmary during class time or afternoon activities require a phone call from the teacher or coach prior to the student’s arrival.  Day students should NOT come to school if feeling ill in the morning.  Parents should call the Infirmary between 7:30-8am to report an absence and discuss symptoms with the nurse on duty.

I am a Day Student.  Will there be any changes to my access to the Infirmary? 

Day students are always welcome to come to the infirmary for assessment and treatment for illnesses and injuries that occur during the school day or after school sports and activities.  Day students exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home and consult with their primary care provider for assessment and testing if needed.  Day students should NOT come to the infirmary in the morning for assessment of symptoms that were already present at home.   

Will the School’s counseling services continue to be available? 

Yes, both Dr. Anne Davidge and Dr. Norm Weitzberg will continue to be available for counseling appointments.  As in the Winter Term, counseling will continue with Telehealth appointments via the Doxy.me HIPAA compliant website.  Students and/or parents should contact Mrs. Celia Brown, RN at 401-643-1233 or cbrown@portsmouthabbey.org to discuss counseling needs at any time.