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Nurse » Covid-19 Updates

Covid-19 Updates

Updated : 09-09-24
 
Guidelines Specific to COVID, Flu, and Respiratory Viruses:
When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, staff and students may return to school/ normal activities when there is overall symptom improvement AND they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication. Both of these situations must simultaneously occur in order to safely return to school. 
 
As per the CDC, it is encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to limit the spread of disease. These prevention strategies include enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses.
 
Guidance for Exposure:
    • If a student/staff member has been exposed to COVID-19 please following the guidance below:
    • If you feel well and are not experiencing any symptoms, there is no exclusion from school.
    • You can test 24 hours after exposure, but no sooner than that. Testing is a personal decision.
    • If symptoms develop, please stay home and test. If it is a positive test result, please follow the guidelines stated above.
    • Masking is optional. 
       
General Illness Guidelines: 
If your child has the following symptoms, they should stay home because their illness could affect their ability to participate in school, and there is concern that they might spread an infection to staff and students. These symptoms include:
    • Fever, including a fever with a new rash
    • Vomiting within 24 hours of the start of the next school day
    • Diarrhea episodes within 24 hours of the start of the next school day, is bloody, or results in greater than two bowel movements above what the child normally experiences in a 24-hour period
    • Skin sores that are draining fluid on an uncovered part of the body. Please see a physician and obtain a doctor's note.
    • Respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or not improving, and not better explained by another cause such as seasonal allergies.
 
For the general symptoms listed above, please follow the below guidelines for when it its allowable to return to school:
    • The child has not had a fever (and is not using fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours.
    • Fever with a new rash has been evaluated by a healthcare provider and fever has resolved. Please provide a doctor's note.
    • Uncovered skin sores are crusting, and the child is under treatment from a provider. Please provide a doctor's note.
    • Vomiting episodes have resolved for at least 24 hours, and the child can hold down food / liquids.
    • Diarrhea episodes have resolved within 24 hours prior to the start of the next school day.  Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by a healthcare provider prior to return.
    • Respiratory virus symptoms are overall improving for at least 24 hours. Please see the above guidelines.