Change in Contact Tracing and Quarantine Protocols
Posted on 01/24/2022
contact tracing bannerContact Tracing and Notification Updates:
Due to the shorter incubation period of the Omicron variant, the CDPH has revised its schools guidance regarding contact tracing and quarantine to allow for a quicker and broader response to exposures due to positive cases. The slide below is from a presentation by Yolo Public Health Officer, Dr. Aimee Sisson, demonstrating why individual contact tracing is ineffective.

View this graphic to learn more about Traditional Contact Tracing Ineffective with Omicron.

The chart below notes the change in protocol regarding contact tracing and quarantine, which will take effect Monday January 24, 2022.

Framework  Individual-Based Contact Tracing (previous) Group-Based Contact Tracing (effective 1.24.22)
Students with COVID-19 Isolate per CDPH guidelines Isolate per CDPH guidelines
Students exposed to someone with COVID-19 Identify individuals (close contacts) who were within 6 feet indoors or outdoors for at least 15 minutes within 24 hours of someone with COVID-19 Identify groups who were within 6 feet indoors for at least 15 minutes within 24 hours of someone with COVID-19
District actions

Individualized recommendation based on vaccination and mask status:

  • No quarantine
  • Modified quarantine
  • Standard quarantine
Group remains in school, required to test, and remain symptom free
Student testing expectations Varied based on quarantine category Test within 3-5 days of exposure, or weekly


In summary, DJUSD will:

  • Identify groups who were within 6 feet indoors for at least 15 minutes within 24 hours of someone with COVID-19
  • Continue to conduct “group” notifications of exposed students, which has been our practice since returning from winter break
  • Discontinue individual contact tracing, which primarily occurred during lunch breaks

According to Dr. Sisson, and supported by guidance from CDPH and CDC, the risk of contracting COVID-19 from an outdoor unmasked lunch exposure is extremely low and does not warrant excluding students from school who have not tested positive.

If your student exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, keep them home and get tested at a Healthy Davis Together testing site.

If your student tests positive, keep them home and email [email protected] to report the positive case and receive instructions regarding isolation duration.

Vaccination Cards and Upcoming Clinics at Holmes Jr. High Next Month
Being fully vaccinated, which includes receiving a booster when eligible, continues to be the best defense against serious illness and hospitalization. DJUSD is planning to host two vaccination clinics for those ages 5 and up on February 1 and 22 from 4 pm. to 7 p.m. at the Holmes Junior High School MPR. Soon, you will be able to sign up for an appointment at https://myturn.ca.gov/

We are also collecting copies of vaccination records for students and booster information for staff. Both staff and students can provide this information by accessing the District’s Vaccine Google form found here.