Due to the declining number of positive COVID-19 cases locally as well as the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Governor Kemp’s decision to make contact tracing in schools optional, the Walton County School District has updated its COVID-19 protocols.

In consultation with the DPH, COVID-19 has been labeled as a Level II Infectious Disease; therefore, WCSD will apply the same notification procedures for COVID-19 as it does other Level II illnesses like MRSA. Beginning, February 16, WCSD will no longer conduct contact tracing, keeping in line with many other school districts across the state. Parents and staff will be notified when a cluster of three or more positive cases is confirmed in a single classroom or one athletic team within a 7-day window. The district will continue to post weekly reports of positive cases online each Friday through May 27, 2022.
 
Students and staff members who test positive for COVID-19 will still be required to quarantine according to the current DPH guidelines listed below. Absences will be excused for students who test positive for COVID-19 or who choose to quarantine following an exposure.

Individuals with COVID-19
Students/staff who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will be required to follow DPH guidelines. Currently, these guidelines state that individuals must stay home in isolation for at least 5 days. WCSD will continue to report positive laboratory-confirmed tests and close contacts to the DPH.