COVID-19 / Communicable Diseases

A centralized hub of updates, information, and links designed to keep parents, staff, and the community informed about COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) COVID or Other Communicable Illness Protocols for 2023-2024

We will continually update this web link as conditions warrant.

The purpose of this plan is to outline specific areas impacting how the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff will be maintained during COVID and other communicable illness outbreaks.

TSD will exclude students/staff from attending school in person who have or are suspected of having COVID or other communicable illnesses, in accordance with DSHS guidelines.

Exclusion shall continue until the conditions for re-entry are met:

If symptomatic, exclude until at least five days have passed since symptom onset, and Fever-free, and other symptoms have improved
Students and staff who test positive for COVID but do not have any symptoms must stay home until at least five days after the day they were tested

Parents should ensure they do not send their child to school if exhibiting COVID or other communicable illness symptoms or has tested positive for COVID or other communicable illness until the conditions for re-entry are met. See Communicable Disease Chart | 08.24.23 (Texas.gov).

TSD school nurses will continue to send students home who have a fever, diarrhea, are vomiting, lose sense of taste or smell, or display significant symptoms of illness.

Notifications

Parents should notify the Health Center and School office regarding a positive case of COVID or other communicable illnesses.

Staff should notify their campus Supervisor regarding a positive case of COVID or other communicable illnesses.

COVID Testing

At this time, TSD is not offering COVID or other communicable illnesses testing. If you need to get tested, please reach out to your local health authority, physician or pharmacy. For more information visit https://www.austintexas.gov/covid-testinfo.

Vaccinations
Per Gov. Abbott's order, TSD cannot require students or staff to get vaccinated. At this time, the State of Texas has not added the COVID vaccination to the required immunization list for students. Furthermore, TSD cannot require students or staff to report vaccination status.

For those seeking a vaccination, reach out to your local health authority, physician, or pharmacy for information on where to find vaccinations and eligibility criteria.

Contact Tracing
At this time, there will be no notifications regarding COVID cases.

Masking
Per GA-38, Texas Schools cannot require students or staff to wear a mask. However, masks are optional for any student, staff or visitor who wish to wear one. Anyone wishing to wear a mask must provide their own. TSD will not supply masks.

Absences
If a student must isolate after testing positive for COVID or other communicable illness, the school/teacher will implement the following:

The teacher will work with the student and parent to provide make-up work to the student, understanding there is not a remote instruction option available
The student will submit make-up work as noted in the student handbook

Employees must use personal leave time, sick time or comp time while they are out sick. If you are out for more than 3 days, a doctor’s note/medical documentation is required.

Visitors & Meetings
There are no COVID or other communicable illness restrictions for visitors or in-person meetings. However, all campus policies and procedures regarding visitors to campus are in effect.

Cleaning/Disinfecting Protocols/Mitigation Measures
Frequent cleaning and disinfection will support a healthy learning and work environment for students and staff. TSD will continue with cleaning and disinfecting the buildings and campus.

Staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and water following CDC guidelines and to cover their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing.

At this time, TSD is not enforcing social distancing requirements in our buildings or on buses.

Determine your risk level.

Guidelines

Updated COVID-19 Boosters and Flu Vaccines are Now Available

Austin Public Health (APH) encourages families to get up to date with seasonal flu shots and updated COVID-19 boosters to protect loved ones at higher risk. Vaccination is crucial for adults 65 and older, children under 5, pregnant women and individuals who suffer from chronic health conditions.

Where Can I get Vaccinated?

The flu vaccine is widely available through doctors’ offices and pharmacies and covered by most insurance companies including Medicaid. Ideally, flu shots should be given during September and October and can be given at the same time as COVID-19 vaccines.

The new bivalent boosters, a multiple purpose dose, is designed to better protect against the new COVID-19 omicron subvariants and is now available in our community for free. Many retail pharmacies and providers in Travis Country are already administering the updated boosters.

RESOURCES

Superintendent Updates For Families, Staff, and Community

COVID-19 Sick Leave Co-op Application ASL Video

COVID-19 Vaccine Info

Other COVID-19 Resources

ESSER Funding

TSD Workplace Guidelines

TSD Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Procedures

RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS

RSV is a lung infection caused by a virus. Although it can affect anyone, RSV is generally considered as the most frequent cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. For more information, CLICK HERE.