River Valley Schools Sick or Exposed Student Requirements
Covid-19 Parent Information
COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from none to mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
River Valley Schools will be adhering to the guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health when evaluating ill students in the nurses’ office. The Guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health is as follows:
Students who have ANY high-risk symptom OR two or more low risk symptoms 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
- New Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste/smell
LOW RISK SYMPTOMS
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle/Body aches
- Sore Throat
- Runny Nose
- Congestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
STUDENTS MAY RETURN TO SCHOOL WHEN:
Situation 1: If child is NOT evaluated by a healthcare provider:
- At least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared AND
- They have had no fever for at least 24 hours (that is ONE full day without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
- Their other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath has improved)
Situation 2: If a child is evaluation 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 medicine) AND symptoms improving. (Physician’s note is required).
- Alternative Diagnosis- Students may return to school after 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) AND symptoms improving (Physician’s note required).
- Positive Covid-19 Test- Return to school after 24 hours with no fever (1 full day without fever-reducing medications, AND symptoms improving, AND 10 days since symptoms started.
IDENTIFYING CLOSE CONTACTS FOR COVID 1
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: mother, father, siblings, someone at work, church, school, sports activities, etc.)
- If no symptoms develop, students can return to school 14 days from their last contact with the Covid-19 positive individual
- If symptoms develop, students should be evaluated by a health care provider
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they should isolate for 10 days
- If a student tests negative for COVID-19, they must still complete their 14-day quarantine before returning to school.
- Individuals who have previously diagnosed Positive for Covid-19 within the past 12 weeks, and were exposed to a Covid-19 case, do not need to quarantine.
Clarification Note: (8/27)
Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 who are tested and test PCR negative AND who are NOT a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19, can go back to daily activities 24 hours after their fever and other symptoms resolve.
Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 who are tested and test PCR negative AND who ARE a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19, should continue to self-quarantine until 14 days after their last exposure to the confirmed case.
Persons who test PCR positive for COVID-19 but do not experience symptoms should self-isolate until: At least 10 days have passed since the date of the first positive test AND They continue to have no symptoms (no cough or shortness of breath) since the test.