COVID update Oct. 2, 2020
Dear MA Families,
Ontario has updated its at-home COVID screening tool as of October 1: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
Summary of the changes
There are now two groupings of symptoms. If a child has any new or worsening symptoms in the first grouping (fever, cough, shortness of breath, decrease in taste or smell), they fail the screening as per previous and can’t come to school.
However, if a child only has one new or worsening symptoms in the second grouping (ie. sore throat, runny nose, headache, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, fatigue), theyhave to stay home from school, but do not require a COVID test.
When assessing for the symptoms, you should focus on evaluating if they are new, worsening, or different from your child’s baseline health status or usual state. Symptoms associated with known chronic health conditions or related to other known causes/conditions should not be considered unless new, different or worsening.
Elementary and Junior High families
Use the screening tool; there are now three possible outcomes for your child(ren):
- Go to School
- Don’t go to school – Get a COVID Test, be assessed by your doctor, or Isolate for 14 days
- Don’t go to school – Stay home from school until you feel well enough to return.
Toddler and Casa families
The Daily COVID Screening Google Form you use, is in the process of being updated to reflect the new symptom groupings and outcomes, and will be ready for Monday morning.
Key question
(source: The Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care (October 1, 2020) PDF.)
My child has woken up not feeling well, what do I do?
If you notice that your child has new or worsening symptoms, what you do depends on the symptom and how usual they are for your child.
If your child has new or worsening:
- Fever/chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Decreased or loss of smell or taste
Your child should isolate immediately and you should contact your child’s health provider for further advice or assessment. The health care provider can help you determine whether the symptoms are related to another non-COVID-19 condition, or if they should get tested for COVID-19.
If your child has ONE new or worsening symptom (that is not related to a known cause or condition) that include:
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose/runny nose
- Headache
- Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
- Fatigue/lethargy/muscle aches/malaise
Your child should stay home for 24 hours to be monitored to see whether the symptoms get better or worse. If they start to feel better and symptoms are improving, they can return to school/child care when well enough to do so and no COVID-19 testing is needed.
If the symptoms get worse, you should contact their health care provider for further advice or assessment. The health care provider can help you determine whether the symptoms are related to another non-COVID-19 condition, or if they should get tested for COVID-19.
If your child has TWO or MORE new or worsening symptoms (that are not related to a known cause or condition) that include:
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose/runny nose
- Headache
You have three options: (1) Get a COVID Test, (2) be assessed by your doctor, or (3) Isolate for 14 days.
For more information
For more detailed information and the full list of Frequently Asked Questions, refer to the Ministry’s COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care (October 1, 2020) PDF. Medical notes or proof of negative tests are not required to return to school, as per the Middlesex-London Health Unit.