The following is a text alternative for the NYS DOH COVID-19 Guide for School Administrators and Schools Nurses:

COVID-19 Flowsheet for Student or Staff with COVID-19 Symptoms

Student/staff has symptoms consistent with COVID-19:

• Student/staff member should keep face mask on.
• Staff members should be sent home immediately.
• Students awaiting transport home by the parent/guardian must be isolated in a room or area separate from others, with a supervising adult present using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• School administration and the parent/guardian should be notified.
• Provide instructions that the individual must be seen by an HCP for evaluation and have COVID-19 testing (unless determined not necessary by HCP). If they do not have an HCP they should call their local health department.
• Schools should provide a list of local COVID-19 testing locations.
• Clean and disinfect area where the student/staff member was located.

Healthcare Provider (HCP) Evaluation for COVID-19(can be in-person or by video/telephone as determined by HCP):

• If HCP Recommends COVID-19 Test:
  Stay Out of School and in isolation until test result is back

  • If Positive Test Result:
    • The local health department will contact you to follow up.
    • The ill person must remain in isolation (at home and away from others) until the local health department has released them from isolation, which is typically:
      • 10 days after symptom onset; And
      • Child/staff’s symptoms are improving; And
      • Child/staff is fever-free for at least 72 hours without use of fever reducing medicines.
    • While the ill person is in isolation, all members of the household must quarantine at home until released by the local health department, typically 14 days.
    • Note: A repeat negative COVID-19 test is not required for return to school.
      
      
  • If Negative Test Result:
    • If symptoms are improving And they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines, student/staff may return to school with:
      • A note from HCP indicating the test was negative Or
      • Provide a copy of the negative test result.
        
        

• If HCP Gives Alternate Diagnosis:

  • If the HCP provides a diagnosis of a known chronic condition with unchanged symptoms, or a confirmed acute illness (examples: laboratory-confirmed influenza, strep-throat) And COVID-19 is not suspected then a note signed by their HCP explaining the alternate diagnosis is required before the student/staff will be allowed to return to school. They may return to school according to the usual guidelines for that diagnosis.
  • Note: a signed HCP note documenting unconfirmed acute illnesses, such as viral upper respiratory illness (URI) or viral gastroenteritis, will not suffice.
    
    

• If COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Recommended but Not Done and No Alternate Diagnosis:

  • The person must remain in isolation at home and is not able to go back to school until the local health department has released them from isolation, which is typically:
    • At least 10 days have passed since the day symptoms started; And
    • Symptoms are improving; And
    • They are fever-free for at least 72 hours without use of fever reducing medications.
      
      

• If Student/Staff is Not Evaluated by HCP:

  • The person must remain in isolation at home and is not able to go back to school until the local health department has released them from isolation, which is typically:
    • At least 10 days have passed since the day symptoms started; And
    • Symptoms are improving; And
    • They are fever-free for at least 72 hours without use of fever reducing medications.
      
      
      

COVID-19 diagnostic testing includes molecular (e.g., PCR) or antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Diagnostic testing may be performed with a nasopharyngeal swab, nasal swab, or saliva sample, as ordered by the health care provider and per laboratory specifications. If there is a high suspicion of COVID-19 based on symptoms or circumstances, the HCP or public health should consider following up a negative antigen test with a molecular test which is more sensitive, particularly when there are important clinical or public health implications. Serology (antibody testing) cannot be used to rule in or out acute COVID-19.