Soaring
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This & That
Health Office Reminders Highlights for SCA Sick Day Protocol
Scenarios for COVID-19: • COVID-19 positive with symptoms: For most persons with COVID-19 illness, isolation and We understand that this year is a challenge precautions can generally be discontinued 10 days after and frustrating at times. Information changes almost symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 weekly as we try to follow Jackson County rules. We are hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, praying for our students, families, and SCA faculty/staff as and with improvement of other symptoms. we maneuver this school year. • COVID-19 positive but asymptomatic: Stay home 10 COVID-19 symptoms of concern can be a symptom full days from test result day. Back to school on day 11 of many different illnesses (COVID-19, influenza, strep from test date. throat, allergies, “colds,” “stomach bug.”) For the most • COVID-19 exposure: Students are out 14 full days. part, healthcare providers cannot tell the difference For example, exposed on 9/28/2020, day 1 starts between the different illnesses without testing for on 9/29/2020 and day 14 is 10/12/2020, with earliest COVID-19. In the past, providers were not too worried return to school on 10/13/2020, as long as symptoms about viruses; they just needed time to recover. But, we have improved and fever-free without fever-reducing are in different times now and we are trying to prevent medications for 24 hours. the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, that will usually require a test if you want the provider to clear your child • Symptoms: Doctor’s excuse note (may need to be tested in order to be cleared) or stay home 10 full days from COVID-19 symptoms. (back to school on day 11) from first symptom AND Please check your student/yourself for any symptoms. symptoms improving AND 24 hours fever-free without High Risk Symptoms: medications. A negative COVID-19 test does not get New cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste/smell you back into school sooner. You need a healthcare Moderate Risk Symptoms: provider clearance note. Sore throat, congestion, runny nose, headache, fever • Living with the COVID-19 positive individual and (100.4 or higher), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle or can’t quarantine (because you are a caregiver body aches or young sibling): Positive person stays home 10 If your student has any of these symptoms, we ask full days from first symptom, THEN you start your that you keep them at home. If your student comes 14-day quarantine, which puts you back on day 26. to the nurse and has any HIGH RISK symptom or For example, Jack tests positive for COVID-19 on two or more MODERATE RISK symptoms, we are 9/3/2020, but his symptoms started on 9/1/2020. required to send them home for 10 days. At this On 9/11/2020, you can start your 14-day exposure point, you can take them to the doctor and see if quarantine, putting you back at school on day 15, they can be cleared for school. In order for them 9/26/2020. to be cleared from COVID-19, they may require a COVID-19 test. Your SCA Nursing Staff If they have just one of the MODERATE RISK Sheri Dean, RN; Noelle Rhyne, RN symptoms and no COVID-19 exposure, they Erin Rider, RN; Tiffany Summit, M.Ed. can return to school 24 hours after symptom improvement and fever-free 24 hours without any fever-reducing medications.
