COVID‐19 SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
Students and staff with symptoms of illness must be sent to the health office for an assessment by the school nurse. According to NYSDOH guidelines, symptoms associated with COVID‐19 include:
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Symptomatic Students
If a student experiences one or more of the symptoms listed above, parents are required to keep their child home, complete the COVID-19 Symptom Reporting Form (students), and consult with their doctor.
Students may return to school when their symptoms are improving, and they are fever-free (without the use of fever reducing medication) for at least 24 hours, AND (1) have a doctor’s note indicating they do not require a COVID-19 test OR (2) have a negative rapid antigen or PCR test. Negative test results from a rapid antigen home test can now be accepted by the District provided that two rapid antigen tests are given at least 24 or 36 hours apart, consistent with the instructions that accompany the test kit. Photographs of the two test results labeled with the date and time each test was administered must be submitted as proof of a negative test result.
Symptomatic Faculty & Staff
If a faculty or staff member experiences one or more of the symptoms listed above, the employee must stay home, complete the COVID-19 Symptom Reporting Form (staff), and consult with their doctor.
Faculty & staff may return to school when their symptoms are improving, and they are fever-free (without the use of fever reducing medication) for at least 24 hours, AND (1) have a doctor’s note indicating they do not require a COVID-19 test OR (2) have a negative rapid antigen or PCR test. Negative test results from a rapid antigen home test can now be accepted by the District provided that two rapid antigen tests are given at least 24 or 36 hours apart, consistent with the instructions that accompany the test kit. Photographs of the two test results labeled with the date and time each test was administered must be submitted as proof of a negative test result.
Individuals who have symptoms associated with a chronic, recurring condition unrelated to COVID‐19 may provide a doctor’s note to indicate that the symptoms are unrelated to COVID‐19 and may return to school as soon as this doctor’s note is provided.
Following district policies, the school nurse will call 911 for any student or staff member exhibiting emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to arouse, bluish lips or face and severe abdominal pain. The school nurse will notify the 911 operator that the person in need of assistance may have COVID‐19 and inform the school administration as soon as possible.
Protocol for students or staff assessed to have
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| The nurse will conduct an initial assessment to determine if the individual needs to be moved to the isolation room with appropriate PPE in use for the individual (i.e., face mask) and the nurse (i.e., N95 mask, face shield, medical gown, gloves) for further assessment. The nurse will ask the individual the COVID‐19 screening questions and will document the answers. |
| After confirming that the student or staff member only has one or more COVID‐19 symptom, the individual will be sent home and instructed to see his/her Health Care Provider within 48 hours for evaluation. The individual's Health Care Provider will determine if a COVID-19 test is required. Negative test results from a rapid antigen home test can now be accepted by the District provided that two rapid antigen tests are given at least 24 or 36 hours apart, consistent with the instructions that accompany the test kit. Photographs of the two test results labeled with the date and time each test was administered must be submitted as proof of a negative test result. |
| In preparation for moving the individual out of the school, the nurse will notify school administration who will determine if a “hold in place” is required as the individual is escorted from the school. The student or staff member will be escorted from the building through the nearest exit to minimize contact or interactions with other students or staff. A parent, guardian or emergency contact is expected to pick up the student within 30 minutes of being notified. |
| After the individual has left the school, the nurse will notify the school administrator and the head custodian so that the isolation room and other spaces occupied by the individual can be electrostatically disinfected. |
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If the Health Care Provider DOES refer the symptomatic person for COVID-19 testing, the person must remain home until:
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| If the Health Care Provider DOES NOT refer the person for testing, the Health Care Provider must provide a written diagnosis to specify that the symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19 and the person may return to school when symptoms are resolved with a note from the Health Care Provider. |
| If a positive COVID‐19 test result is received, the school will notify the Westchester County Department of Health within 24 hours of obtaining the result, and will gather and provide information as may be requested by the Westchester County Department of Health to facilitate contact tracing, in coordination with the district COVID‐19 coordinator, the school district physician, building administration, and the WCDOH. |
© Harrison Central School District, 2022