Marlin ISD extends winter break due to community surge in COVID-19 cases

Due to a surge in community positive COVID-19 cases, and following guidance from the Falls Community Hospital District, Marlin ISD will be delaying a return to school until Monday, Jan. 10. For updates, please refer to District Facebook and Twitter accounts.

District officials continue to encourage adherence to CDC guidelines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including vaccination as a prevention strategy, a quarantine period for anyone in the general public who is exposed to COVID-19, and testing at five days after exposure. 

For the most updated isolation and quarantine guidance from the CDC, please see their statement published on the CDC website.

From Superintendent Darryl Henson:

Bulldog Family,

This morning during our COVID-19 screening, there were over 30 confirmed positive cases amongst our students, faculty, and staff. Due to an abundance of caution for the safety and welfare of our school community, the winter break will be extended until Monday, January 10. For the remainder of the week, please take care of yourselves and utilize all safety precautions, including isolation, social distancing, and the strict use of face coverings. 

Employees are to check their email and be available for any meeting (virtually) at the request of their principal or direct supervisor. As more information becomes available, I will inform you all as soon as possible. Stay safe and we will see everyone on Monday, January 10. 

Updated protocols:

In keeping with the updated recommended guidance from the CDC, Marlin ISD has updated their COVID-19 protocols. A student or employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 will isolate for five days. If they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving without fever for 24 hours, they may return with the strict use of a face covering. If symptoms persist, they will isolate for ten days, or at the recommendation of a physician, before returning. 

Additionally, the district has updated the recommended quarantine period for anyone who has been exposed to a confirmed positive case. For individuals, who are unvaccinated or are more than six months after their second mRNA dose, “the shot”, (or more than two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and not yet boosted, the CDC now recommends quarantining for five days, followed by the strict use of a face covering for an additional five days. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but will need to adhere to the strict use of a face covering for ten days.