Important Information Related to COVID -19 and School
(From Tangee Sills-Ed-Co School Nurse, in collaboration with Ashley Monaghan, WD school nurse)
Covid-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced by a person who has been infected. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of other people who are close by. That’s why it is important to wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet apart.
The symptoms of those positive for Covid-19 have been ranging from quite mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure with an infected person. Ed-Co, along with our neighboring school districts, are following guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health. The guidance is as follows:
Students who have ANY high-risk symptoms OR two or more low risk symptoms should not be in school. They should not be in school for a minimum of 10 days and are advised to seek an evaluation by a health care provider.
High Risk Symptoms Low Risk Symptoms
New onset cough Fever Fatigue
Shortness of breath Headache Muscle/body aches
Difficulty breathing Sore Throat Runny nose
New loss of taste or smell Congestion Nausea
Vomiting Diarrhea
Students May Return to School When:
Scenario 1: If your child is NOT evaluated by a healthcare provider
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At least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared AND
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They have had no fever for at least 24 hours ( without the use of fever reducing medicines)AND
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Their other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or sore throat has improved)
Scenario 2: If a child is evaluated by a healthcare provider and the provider determines the following:
Negative COVID-19 test- students may return to school after 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND symptoms improving. A doctor’s note is required.
Alternative diagnosis- Students may return to school after 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND symptoms improving. Doctor’s note required.
Positive COVID-19 test- You may return to school after 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever reducing medications), AND symptoms improving, AND 10 days since symptoms started.
Identifying Close Contacts of Covid-19 (The school will determine close contacts through contact-tracing guidance from the IDPH)
Students who have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual (within 6 feet of a positive person for more than 15 minutes) will need to stay home and quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. Examples of close contacts may be mother, father, siblings, co-worker, church contact, classmate, or teammate.
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If no symptoms develop, students can return to school 14 days from their last contact with the COVID-19 positive individual.
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If symptoms develop, students should be evaluated by a health care provider.
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If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they should isolate for 10 days
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If a student tests negative for COVID-19, they must still complete their 14 day quarantine before returning to school
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Individuals who have previously been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 within the past 12 weeks and were exposed to a COVID-19 case do not need to quarantine.
Link to the IDPH chart to reference:
https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/Evaluating%2007302020.pdf
Please note that if a student has to quarantine due to a positive family member and that family member can not isolate from the student, then the quarantine time becomes longer. In this case, it is required for the parent to isolate for the 10 days then the student has to complete the 14 day quarantine after that.
