Updated COVID-19 Screening Tool released

Limestone Learning Foundation
Updated COVID-19 Screening Tool released
Posted on 10/01/2020
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The province released an updated COVID-19 School Screening Tool October 1, 2020 to reflect the latest public health advice, and help families determine when it is most appropriate for students to seek a test for COVID-19.

Families should begin using this tool immediately. If your student is waiting on a COVID-19 test result, they may not return to school until they have a negative test, or follow the guidelines set out in the return to school protocol.

The tool has been updated with two sets of questions about symptoms and information to help families make informed decisions about whether their children should attend school or child care, need to consult a health care provider, or get tested for COVID-19.

The first set of questions asks about symptoms such as fever or cough. Students and children with any of these symptoms will still be advised to stay home until they are able to consult with a health care provider and receive an alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID-19 test.

The second set of questions asks about other symptoms that are commonly associated with other illnesses, such as a runny nose or headache:

  • Students and children with only one of these symptoms will be advised to stay home for 24 hours, after which they can return to school or child care if their symptoms are improving.
  • Students and children with two or more of these symptoms will be advised to stay home until they are able to consult with a health care provider and receive an alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID-19 test.

In addition, based on the latest public health guidance the symptom list for children in school and child care no longer includes abdominal pain or conjunctivitis (pink eye).

The guidance can be found immediately at the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care, and the refreshed online tool will launch tomorrow, October 2, 2020. Translated versions of the PDF document will be available next week.

Thank you for your diligence in ensuring you screen your students each day before school and keeping students home when they are sick. Together, we can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and keep schools open.

 

 

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.