COVID Screening Update – Feb. 22, 2021
Dear MA Families,
On Friday we received new information regarding changes to the daily screening process and isolation requirements for household contacts. All our screening forms are being updated today and will reflect these changes. As these changes are now also province wide, the provincial school and child care screening tool has also been updated.
Daily Screening
New provincial direction includes that staff, students and children with any new or worsening symptom of COVID-19, as indicated in the school and child care screening tool, even those with only one symptom, must stay home until:
- They receive a negative COVID-19 test result.
- They receive an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional, or
- It has been 10 days since their symptom onset and they are feeling better.
Isolation requirements for household contacts
In addition, staff, students and children are required to stay home from school or child care if anyone in their household has new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 and has been recommended for isolation and testing.
All asymptomatic household contacts of symptomatic individuals are required to quarantine until the symptomatic household member:
- receives a negative COVID-19 test result, or
- receives an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional
If the symptomatic individual tests positive, or is not tested and does not receive an alternative diagnosis from a health care professional, the symptomatic individual must isolate (including from household members) for 10 days from symptom onset, and all household contacts must isolate until 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic individual.
This update for household contacts has also been included in the provincial school and child care screening tool. Due to these changes, MLHU is updating the decision tools for parents and schools from last week. We will share this information when it is available. As well, our COVID-19 Parent Guides will be updated to reflect these changes by the end of the day.
We realize this change complicates things for everyone, including our staff. Thank you for your patience, support and cooperation as we continue to navigate the best way to keep our community healthy.
Be well,
Tina Sartori
Executive Director