Health Room - COVID Updates

Please submit Covid test results to the Health Room Stacy_E_Curtis@mcpsmd.org

Should my child stay home if they show COVID-19 signs or symptoms?

Yes, your child should stay home if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Your child should also get tested for COVID-19. It is very important that your child not attend in-person school when he or she has signs and symptoms. Ask your child’s school about virtual learning options during quarantine. With symptoms, your child should also not gather in public places, play sports, participate in extracurricular activities, or socialize in-person with people who do not live in your household. This is also true if your child is showing any symptoms of other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu.
Check with your child’s school to learn more about their sick policies and when students can return to school.

What should I do if my child tests positive for COVID-19?

Contact your child’s healthcare provider and keep your child home from school. Your child should not go to school, socialize, or participate in any in-person extracurricular activities, and you should follow your child’s school’s instructions for quarantine.
If a test was done outside of school, notify the school about the positive result so that they can perform contact tracing.
You may also want to ask about the quarantine policy at your child’s school and whether other children in your home should stay home from school.
Ask your child’s school about virtual learning options and about their current policies for when your child can return to school.

Why does guidance for schools keep changing?

Guidance for K–12 schools changes because what we know about COVID-19 continues to change. This means guidance is updated as more is learned about what works best to reduce the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19.

How can I help my child stay safe in school?

It is essential to teach and reinforce healthy behaviors to your children. Talk to them about the importance of masking, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing so that they can make choices that help keep them safe at school.

Why is it important for me and my child to get vaccinated for COVID-19?

COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people getting COVID-19 and can also reduce the risk of spreading it. The risk of severe illness is much greater for people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19.
CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older get an age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19.
People who are fully vaccinated will not be required to quarantine if they come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.