If we are notified of a positive COVID-19 case within our campus, we follow the CDC guidelines and recommendations from the local health department alongside guidance from our COVID-19 Advisory Board.

Upon notification, we determine the pod and identify close contacts within the pod by contact tracing. If applicable, we then identify individuals within the pod who do not meet the CDC guidelines for a close contact or direct exposure.

A close contact, or direct exposure, to COVID-19 includes:

• Living in the same household as a person with COVID-19
• Caring for a person with COVID-19
• Being within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for a cumulative 15 minutes or longer within a 24 hour period.
• Being in direct contact with secretions from a person with COVID-19 (e.g. being coughed on, kissing, sharing utensils, etc.)

If your child is identified as a close contact to the person with a confirmed positive case, you will be notified by email. Your child will then be required to remain home for 14 days from the last day of contact with the positive case. They will be able to learn remotely during this time.

If an exposure or positive test result occurs, quarantine or isolation will need to take place.

Quarantine

What does it mean to quarantine?

Quarantine keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others.

When to Quarantine

• If your child has been identified as a close contact, all members of the household should quarantine for 14 days.
• If your child or household members do not get tested OR if they test negative, the 14 day quarantine still applies.

Isolation

What does it mean to isolate?

Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from people who are not infected.

When to Isolate

• If your child tests positive, they should isolate at home for 10 days from the date that their test was taken. They may return to school after first contacting Nurse Lauren for approval.

• If another member of the household tests positive, please contact Nurse Lauren for further instruction on isolation and quarantine procedures.

Click here for a helpful document by the Tennessee Department of Health and here for a helpful document on quarantine vs. isolation.

If you choose to have your child tested during their quarantine — or if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have been identified as close contact — please wait at least four days since your last contact with a positive case before getting tested. Testing too soon can lead to a false negative. 

Your child will need to see a healthcare provider for possible COVID-19 if they have 1 high risk symptom or 2+ low-risk symptoms. High-risk symptoms include fever (100.4° or higher), new cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, and new loss of taste or smell. Low-risk symptoms include chills, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Please note that we do not currently accept rapid antigen tests at SBA. We do, however, accept the PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) as it is the most sensitive test and can usually detect a virus sooner and more accurately. We recommend the following area testing locations:

• Any of the Metro Nashville COVID-19 Assessment Centers including the drive-through testing locations at Nissan Stadium (Lot “N,” 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213) and Meharry Medical College (918 21st Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37217). You do not have to be displaying symptoms in order to be tested at either of these locations and an appointment is not required. Currently, the Assessment Center hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM and the typical turnaround time for results is 24 hours. Click here for more information and to verify current hours, as they are subject to change.
   
• Complete Health Partners (6746 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209) also offers drive-through testing and does require symptoms to be tested. They are open every day from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM and do require an appointment which you can make online here. Average turnaround time for test results is 2 - 3 days.
   
• Any Vanderbilt Clinic in the area is also a good option, however, you do need to be experiencing symptoms in order to receive a test. Click here for more information.
   
• Your child's pediatrician's office