Instructions for COVID+ Individuals

Students and staff with COVID must stay home from school, regardless of symptoms or vaccination status, through the end of Day 5 at a minimum. See LAC | DPH | COVID-19 Isolation

Return to school criteria

Individuals may return to school after Day 5 (between Day 6-10) when the following criteria are met: 

1. No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication

2. Other symptoms are not present, or symptoms are mild and improving

3. It is strongly recommended that the individual test negative (with an COVID antigen test) on or after Day 5 to reduce the chance of infecting others.

Official return to school clearance is not required after a COVID infection. Individuals may return to campus when they meet the requirements. 

• Persons who continue to have symptoms of COVID-19 that are not improving should continue to isolate until their symptoms are improving or until after Day 10.

 • Persons who have left isolation and have a return or worsening of their COVID-19 symptoms need to re-test (with an antigen test). If they test positive, they should re-start isolation at Day 0.

When is Day 0? 

For symptomatic individuals, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms; Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms develop. For individuals who never develop symptoms, Day 0 is the day the first positive test was collected; Day 1 is the first full day after the positive test was collected. Please note that if symptoms do develop, Day 0 shifts to the first day of symptoms. 

Masking after infection

-Students should wear a well-fitting mask indoors around others, except when eating or drinking, through the end of Day 10. Students may stop wearing a mask sooner (between Day 6-10) if they have two sequential negative COVID-19 tests taken at least one day apart. 

-Staff are required to wear a well-fitting mask indoors around others through the end of Day 10.

Exposures/ Close Contacts

Individuals are considered infectious during the 48 hours leading up to Day 0 and during their isolation period.  Please alert the Health Office if the infected individual had any on-campus, close contact outside of their regular classroom(s) during the infectious period. Examples of this might include enrichment classes, staff meetings, special education services, etc. 

For off-campus exposures (playdates, indoor sports, family gatherings, etc.), please alert the exposed individuals directly.

If your child is in before or after-school programming, please contact the program’s coordinator and notify them of your child’s positive case.

Absences

-Parent/guardian: Please alert the school site attendance clerk when your child is absent from school. 

-Staff: Please contact your administrator and HR representative for further instructions. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of our community.

Close Contacts or Exposed Individuals

Exposed staff and students may remain in school and participate in all activities, including sports and extracurricular activities, provided they have no symptoms and meet the requirements below. 

Please take the following actions to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others:

REQUIRED:

1. Monitor for symptoms for 10 days after the last date of exposure. If symptoms develop, stay away from others and take a COVID test immediately. If the test is negative, test again in 2 days. 

2. Exposed staff and students who are not feeling well must stay home from school. Symptoms of illness may include: feeling tired, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose (congestion), sore throat, headache, fever or chills, body aches, new cough, shortness of breath, and new loss of taste/smell. Close contacts who have or develop symptoms, regardless of vaccination status or previous infection, should stay home away from others and test for COVID-19. 

3. Alert the Health Office immediately in the event of a positive test and begin isolation. See  Home Isolation Instructions for COVID-19 

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:

4. Please wear a well-fitting mask around others through Day 10, especially in indoor settings.

5. Take a COVID test between Days 3-5 after the last date of exposure.

It is important to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and stay up to date with all recommended doses, including an updated booster. Vaccination is the best way to protect from serious illness and death related to COVID-19 and reduces the risk of long COVID. To find a local vaccine location and to make an appointment, visit ph.lacounty.gov/VaccineAppointment or contact your healthcare provider. 

Ensuring that you and our educational environment is safe is of the greatest importance to us. For additional questions about COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, please visit the LA County Department of Public Health COVID-19 webpage.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of our community.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccination is now available for ages 6 months and up. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine click here.

Vaccine Finder

Vaccinate LA County 

Common Side Effects After Vaccination 

Common side effects after vaccination can include:

• Soreness at the injection site, redness, swelling, fatigue, headache, fever, aches, or chills. This is a sign that the immune system is working to produce antibodies. If side effect symptoms persist longer than 48-72 hours, contact your medical provider for guidance. For more information on side effects, click here.
• The Covid-19 vaccine does not cause symptoms of: a cough, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose, or shortness of breath.  If you experience these symptoms, isolate yourself immediately from others and contact your medical provider.