Regional and local guidelines for COVID-19 cases in school

Tens of thousands of children across Ottawa are returning to school in September amid a global pandemic outbreak.
School boards have issued and reviewed a set of return-to-school guidelines promising to keep students and staff as safe as possible, however, Ottawa's medical health officer says he expects COVID-19 cases to emerge this fall.

 Will schools have to close?  Who needs to isolate?  What if I get sick?
 Ottawa Public Health set its plans earlier in August, and the Ontario government later strengthened guidelines for various scenarios.
 One key measure used by public health to keep COVID-19 cases out of schools is daily symptom screening of children.
 The main symptoms to watch for are:
 * Fever (feeling hot to the touch, temperature 37.8 degrees or higher);
 * Chills
 - New or worsening cough
 - Harsh cough
 * Runny nose unrelated to another known problem such as allergies
 * Sore throat unrelated to another known problem such as allergies
 * Shortness of breath
 * Difficulty swallowing
 * Change in ability to taste and smell
 * Nausea or vomiting
 - Diarrhea or stomach aches
 * Unusual headache
 * Unexplained fatigue
 * Unusual muscle aches
 * Conjunctivitis
 * Lethargy
 * Unusual loss of appetite
 Yes to any of these means OPH recommends your child go to a COVID-19 assessment center for testing as soon as possible.
 While awaiting test results, the child should stay home from school.
 If the test is negative, they can return to class after 24 hours of symptom improvement.
 What if my child gets sick at school?
 * The teacher must inform the principal and monitor himself and the other students.
 * The principal must isolate the child and immediately inform you to pick up your child from school.
 * During isolation, one staff member will care for your child while maintaining the greatest possible distance and wearing a mask and eye protection.
 * Your child will wear a mask during this time, if possible.
 * You should follow your healthcare provider's advice and Ottawa Public Health.
 * If your child is tested for COVID-19, they must stay home until results are received; if negative, they may return to school after 24 hours of symptom improvement.
 * The teacher will arrange for learning at home if your child is well.
 * The school principal is responsible for informing staff about the situation as necessary, respecting your child's and family's privacy.

 What if my child's COVID-19 test is positive?
 * Your child must isolate for 14 days.
 * Your child does not need a doctor's note or a negative test result to return to school; they can return after completing 14 days of isolation as long as they are not feverish and their symptoms have improved for at least 72 hours.
 * The teacher will arrange for learning at home if your child is well.
 * The principal will notify the school community as appropriate, respecting privacy.
 * A nurse from Ottawa Public Health will follow up with close family contacts.
 * Schools and school boards have been asked to create a COVID-19 advisory webpage to inform families of positive cases at their children's school; no personal information will be shared.
 What if another child gets sick at school?
 * Children showing symptoms at school will be isolated and cared for in a designated area of the school while awaiting pick-up.
 * If your child tells you that a classmate has gone home sick, it is recommended to monitor your child for symptoms but they do not need to stay home.

 What if another child's COVID-19 test is positive?
 * The principal will notify the school community as appropriate, respecting privacy.
 * If your child is considered a close contact, the Ottawa Public Health case manager will contact you directly with information on how and when to test for COVID-19 and other steps to take.
 * If someone at your child's school tests positive but your child is not a close contact, there is no need to keep them home or test them for COVID-19.
 * Schools and school boards have been asked to create a COVID-19 advisory webpage to inform families of positive cases at their children's school. No personal information will be shared.
 What if I get COVID-19?
 * You are not required to notify your child's school if your COVID-19 test is positive, but it is strongly recommended.
 * Your children should stay home from school and isolate for 14 days if you test positive for COVID-19.
 * If you are notified of your positive test result while your child is at school, you should inform the school so they can coordinate pickup and/or isolation as required.
 * Your child's teacher will provide support for learning at home.
 * Based on the circumstances, the health unit will advise your child's principal on any necessary steps.
 * Testing requirements for the rest of your household are based on recommendations from the health unit and your doctor.
 
 * If you notify the school of your positive test, the principal is expected to contact the school board director to inform them of the situation.
 * The supervisor must inform the COVID-19 school board leader, who will continue to monitor the situation.
 When will the school be asked to close?
 * Under provincial guidelines, a COVID-19 outbreak in a school is defined as "two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff in a school with an epidemiological link within a 14-day period, where at least one case could reasonably have been acquired in-school (including transmission and care before or after school)."
 * Whether the entire class or whole school needs to close is up to Ottawa Public Health.
 * OPH will contact parents who are close contacts to inform them of the outbreak declaration and assist with next steps, including staying home, monitoring symptoms, and testing as appropriate.
 * The outbreak will be considered over after 14 days have passed since the last laboratory-confirmed positive linked to the outbreak and no symptomatic individuals remain awaiting test results. OPH will announce the end of the outbreak.
 * Outbreak cases will be posted on the school board’s COVID-19 advisory page and on Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard.
 * It is not necessary for the outbreak to end before the school reopens. Groups without evidence of transmission can be reintroduced gradually.
 What to do and not do about COVID-19 in schools?

Do:
 * Stay home if you are sick.
 * Tell someone immediately if you feel unwell while at school.
 * Practice "no-touch" greetings with friends and teachers.
 * Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your arm.
 * Bring your own water bottle and do not share it with others.
 * Keep 1 to 2 meters away from people as much as possible.
 * Wear a mask if you are able.
 * Ask for help if you need it. It’s okay not to be okay.
 Don’t:
 * Share personal belongings and food.
 * Share your mask.
 * Touch your face