GBEB-AR
Code: GBEB-AR
Revised/Reviewed: 7/13/22
In accordance with state law, administrative rule, the local health authority and the Communicable Disease Guidance, the procedures established below will be followed.
1. “Restrictable diseases” are defined by rule and include but are not limited to COVID-19[1], chickenpox, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis E, measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi infection, scabies, Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, shigellosis and infectious tuberculosis, and may include a communicable stage of hepatitis B infection if, in the opinion of the local health officer, the person poses an unusually high risk to others (e.g., a child that exhibits uncontrollable biting or spitting). Restrictable disease also includes any other communicable disease identified in an order issued by the Oregon Health Authority or the local public health officer as posing a danger to the public’s health. A disease is considered to be a restrictable disease if it is listed in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-019-0010, or it has been designated to be a restrictable disease by the local public health administrator after determining that it poses a danger to the public’s health.
2. “Susceptible” for an employee means lacking evidence of immunity to the disease.
3. “Reportable diseases” means a disease or condition, the reporting of which enables a public health authority to take action to protect or to benefit the public health.
Restrictable Diseases
1. An employee of the district will not attend or work at a district school or facility while in a communicable stage of a restrictable disease, including a communicable stage of COVID-19[2], unless authorized to do so under Oregon law. When an administrator has reason to suspect that an employee has a restrictable disease, the administrator shall send the employee home.
2. An administrator shall exclude an employee if the administrator has reason to suspect that an employee has been exposed to measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A, or hepatitis B, unless the local health officer determines that exclusion is not necessary to protect the public’s health. The administrator may request the local health officer to make a determination as allowed by law. If the disease is reportable, the administrator will report the occurrence to the local health department.
3. An administrator shall exclude an employee if the administrator has been notified by a local public health administrator or local public health officer that the employee has had a substantial exposure to an individual with COVID-19 and exclusion is deemed necessary by same.
4. An employee will be excluded in such instances until such time as the employee presents a certificate from a physician, a physician assistant licensed under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 677.505 - 677.525, a nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375 - 678.390, local health department nurse or school nurse stating that the employee does not have or is not a carrier of any restrictable disease.
5. An administrator may allow attendance of an employee restricted for chickenpox, scabies, staphylococcal skin infections, streptococcal infections, diarrhea or vomiting if the restriction has been removed by a school nurse or health care provider.
6. More stringent exclusion standards for employees from school or work may be adopted by the local health department.
7. The district’s emergency plan shall address the district’s plan with respect to a declared public health emergency at the local or state level.
Reportable Diseases Notification
1. All employees shall comply with all reporting measures adopted by the district and with all rules set forth by Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division and the local health department.
2. An administrator may seek confirmation and assistance from the local health officer to determine the appropriate district response when the administrator is notified that an employee or a student has been exposed to a restrictable disease that is also a reportable disease.
3. District staff with impaired immune responses, that are of childbearing age or some other medically fragile condition, should consult with a medical provider for additional guidance[3].
4. An administrator shall determine other persons who may be informed of an employee’s communicable disease, or that of a student’s when a legitimate educational interest exists or for health and safety reasons, in accordance with law.
Equipment and Training
1. The administrator or designee shall, on a case-by-case basis, determine what equipment and/or supplies are necessary in a particular classroom or other setting in order to prevent disease transmission.
2. The administrator or designee shall consult with the district’s school nurse or other appropriate health officials to provide special training in the methods of protection from disease transmission.
3. All district personnel will be instructed annually to use the proper precautions pertaining to blood and body fluid exposure per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (See policy EBBAA).
1 Added per OAR 333-019-1000(2).
2 “Communicable stage of COVID-19” means having a positive presumptive or confirmed test of COVID-19.
3 Refer to Communicable Disease Guidance published by the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of
Education.