COVID Considerations
Persons who test positive for COVID-19 are required to be out of school/work 5 days from the date of symptom onset or positive test (whichever is first). The date of symptom onset/positive test is Day Zero and they may return on Day 6 as long as they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication support and symptoms are improving. A mask must be worn for 5 additional days after returning to school. A negative COVID-19 test is NOT required to return to school/work. FSI follows CDC, NCDHHS, and local health department guidance when making this determination.
Quarantine following a known exposure to COVID-19 is not required UNLESS the person has COVID-like symptoms. The CDC recommends the person wear a mask for 10 days following exposure and get tested on day 5. If symptoms develop, stay home and test for COVID-19. Contact the school nurse for more information.
Please email attendance@thefsi.us and include day of symptom onset and day of positive test.
Other Illnesses
A student may be excluded if the illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities or if there is risk of spread of harmful disease to others.
Exclusion criteria includes the following…
- Common cold/respiratory illnesses
- With any respiratory symptoms, it is recommended to take a rapid COVID test before returning to school.
- Until fever of greater than 100.4 is gone for at least 24 hours without medication support and the child is well enough to participate in routine activities.
- Diarrhea
- If 2 or more loose stools, the student should stay home until 24 hours after diarrhea has stopped or a healthcare provider has determined the cause to not be infectious. If diagnosed to be infectious by a healthcare provider, please follow doctor’s recommendations, as well as notify the school nurse for more specific exclusion criteria.
- Vomiting
- If 2 or more episodes of vomiting, the student should stay home until 24 hours after vomiting has stopped or a healthcare provider has determined the cause to not be infectious.
- Lice
- A student with lice should stay home until after receiving first treatment.
- Pink eye
- A student with eye redness and discharge and/or fever should stay home until 24 hours after starting treatment.
- Abdominal pain
- A student with abdominal pain that continues for more than two hours, or intermittent pain associated with fever or other symptoms, should be sent home.
- Rashes
- A student with a rash and a fever or a change in behavior should be excluded from school until the rash subsides or until a healthcare provider has determined it is not infectious. If a healthcare provider diagnoses rash as infectious, please follow doctor’s recommendations, as well as notify the school nurse for more specific exclusion criteria.
- Skin sores
- A student with weeping sores on an exposed area that cannot be covered with waterproof dressing should be excluded until exposed sores dry.
Resources:
https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/wch/cy/docs/school-health-manual/D1CDGuidelines.pdf
https://ncpschools.edlioschool.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1779064&type=d&pREC_ID=2355336
