COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness. (source: CDC)

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home according to the OUSD Symptoms Decision Tree (English/Spanish):

Our goal is to provide full in-person instruction to all students. In the event that a classroom has a positive COVID-19 case and the positive individual must isolate or close contacts must quarantine, parents and guardians will be notified via letter and call about the next steps for their children as per current CDPH guidance. Notification will include opportunities for independent study at this time.

If someone tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for 10 days and can return on day 11 to school/work if they are symptom free. 

Who needs to quarantine?

People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 — excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past three months or who are fully vaccinated. People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms.

People who develop symptoms again within three months of their first bout of COVID-19 should follow their doctor’s advice on testing. People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against the disease and show no symptoms.

What counts as close contact?

• Being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period
• Providing care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• Having direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
• Sharing eating or drinking utensils
• Being sneezed on, coughed on, or somehow getting respiratory droplets on you from someone with COVID-19

If I'm Exposed As A Close Contact, Then What?

With proof of full vaccination status, individuals who don't have symptoms may be able to continue to come to school/work.

All of the following are options for unvaccinated students/staff who are close contacts that occurred in a school setting (any setting supervised by school staff).

• OPTION 1: Return on Day 8: Provide evidence that a diagnostic COVID-19 specimen collected on or after Day 6 (from the date of last exposure) is negative.
• OPTION 2: If symptom free OR if exposure occurred outside of school and you cannot/will not test on or after day 5, you may return on Day 11. Testing on or after Day 5 is recommended but not required.

*Please note that OUSD only accepts PCR (molecular) lab-confirmed tests, and we do not accept rapid antigen or at-home tests. 

OUSD COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines

Quarantine Decision Visual

Oceanside Unified School District is committed to the education, health and safety of all our students. In the event that an individual or their class needs to quarantine due to COVID-19 related circumstances, there is a short-term independent study option in place to support continued learning. 

Since the start of the school year, attendance in OUSD schools has averaged 92% each day. Students impacted by quarantine typically miss no more than 4-8 instructional school days. 

Students who need to quarantine will be offered independent study so they can maintain academic readiness. Participation in Short-Term Independent Study is voluntary for families, however your signature on the independent study form initiates the process should a student or class need to enter into quarantine.  

A form was sent home during the week of 9.6.21, entitled, “Short-Term Independent Study Master Agreement.” Please return it to your student’s school. 

We thank you for your time and consideration.