Rapid antigen tests are preferable to PCR when used to detect current infection for those with recent history of COVID-19 infection. School officials have the authority to restrict people who are at risk of spreading COVID-19 from entering the school building. with applicable Federal and State laws and PA-HAN 619 . DOH Webinar: Plans and Processes for K-12 Schools During COVID-19, 2021-22 Academic Year, Back to School Toolkit from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC, CDC: Toolkit for Responding to COVID-19 Cases. Double masking with a cloth mask over a surgical mask or, if preferred, a well-fitted KN95, KF94, or N95 mask is more protective than a single cloth or surgical mask. This is the best way to stop outbreaks before they start. It emphasizes layered preventative measures for spread of COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases, such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus, to support safe and healthy learning environments for all. By aligning with the CDCs latest guidance and eliminating quarantine (see Exposures below for details), we can keep children in school and learning and let parents and caregivers stay at work. Coronavirus-Related Provider Guidance and Resources Guidance by DHS Program Offices Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Office of Income Maintenance (OIM) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) Next Steps Child care providers must: Read this Announcement and share with appropriate staff. Individuals who have been exposed and are able to mask no longer need to quarantine but are required to mask for 10 days following the exposure. To preserve safe in-person learning to the greatest extent possible, DOH staff will work with schools to determine if a closure is necessary and if so, the appropriate closure length, with a maximum 14-day recommendation for full incubation period. Checking that the external air inlet duct is not blocked and that it is at least 15 feet from persons. Healthcare professionals should see Ending Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19. Alternatively, if there are two cases on a soccer team and the soccer team is the only source of exposure to one another, then this would be considered an outbreak with transmission occurring on the team. Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) Children older than 2 who cannot mask for reasons stated above should receive an antigen test every other day until day 10 in order to limit transmission. If you have received a waiver to remain open, the IECMH Consultation Team is offering support during this difficult time via distance technology. The Pediatric Partnerships team hopes that timely reporting of cases, in addition to other layers of mitigation, and accurate data reporting, will reduce the rates of transmission in your school community and keep families and children safe. Issued: August 31, 2021; Effective: September 7, 2021; Sunset: December 10, 2021. Although the "close contact" definition is generally 15 consecutive minutes, there are circumstances where 15 cumulative minutes, or less than 15 minutes, may be used. If students develop symptoms, they should be brought to a designated isolation room while waiting to be picked up. CERTIFICATION SERVICES NEWS THE PENNSYLVANIA KEY (pakeys.org). Others have medical conditions that make masking impossible. We strongly recommend flexibility and accommodations for staff who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as those 65 years and older and those with weakened immune systems. If possible, use screens or curtains to create a barrier between individuals who are ill and in nurses office. Individuals or schools may continue to choose to implement quarantine if desired. Although universal case investigation and contact tracing are no longer recommended by the CDC, continued attention to ventilation, handwashing, and having people who are sick isolate at home (see Isolation section below) remain crucial to prevent transmission. Yes, you should quarantine for at least five days. A maximum 14-day suspension of in-person learning may be recommended by DOH if the following criteria are met: The criteria outlined above will be used by DOH to determine if a recommendation for a maximum 14-day suspension of in-person learning is appropriate. Maintaining healthy facilities Any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate. Isolation: Separates an individual who is sick with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. The Acting Secretary of Healths Order will be effective Sept. 7, 2021. Everyone 6 months and older can now be vaccinated. (Day 0 is when symptoms began or if no symptoms, when a positive test result was received.). Early Learning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has releasedupdated information for COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs, as of Jan. 28, 2022, which include updated guidance to reflect new quarantine andisolation guidance and recommendations, specifying the circumstances when isolation and quarantine periods can be shortened, and updated guidance regarding staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Effective Sept. 7, 2021, child care certification representatives PA-HAN 619 for additional information on isolation periods. A. Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine for K-12 Schools, Responding to COVID-19 Cases in K-12 Schools: Resources for School Administrators, Professional Standards and Practices Commission, Report positive cases of COVID-19 to DOH for case investigation, contact tracing, and issuance of quarantine and/or isolation orders; and. distancing and increased ventilation, become even more essential to protect students, teachers, and School officials have the authority to restrict people who are at risk of spreading COVID-19 from entering school building. COVID-19 continues to impact Pennsylvania, including a new variant, B.1.617.2 (Delta). They can go to work, attend school and be in other settings . Encourage staff and parents to talk to their own and their childrens physicians about their individual risk factors for COVID-19 and the risks of working at or attending ECE. If a school is experiencing an outbreak or a rise in cases, the school can contact DOH or their local CMHD if additional guidance on outbreak response is needed. Staff should practice hand hygiene before and after preparing food and drinks and before and after any medication administration. Checking that the external air inlet duct is not blocked and that it is at least 15 feet from persons. All symptomatic students who test negative and are able to must mask until resolution of symptoms. State agencies whose Masking must be maintained for 10 days after exposure. ECEs should expect a response from the Pediatric Partnerships team for completed surveys in the case of missing or incomplete information, need for further investigation, or to facilitate and intervention in the form of testing. When necessary to confirm the individuals identity. Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) (reps) conducting inspections or complaint investigations will cite child care facilities operating out of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated information for COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs, as of Jan. 28, 2022, which include updated guidance to reflect new quarantine and isolation guidance and recommendations, specifying the circumstances when isolation and quarantine periods can be shortened, and While the risk of monkeypox to children and adolescents is low, schools and ECEs should take the same precautions that are utilized to stop the spread of other infectious diseases. All other programs must report to the PA Department of Health, 1-877- When a child/student is participating in a sports practice activity or event, whether indoors or Copyright 2018 THE PENNSYLVANIA KEY ~ All Rights Reserved, CERTIFICATION INSPECTION INSTRUMENT (CII), INFANT/EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH (IECMH), PROMOTING INCLUSION & REDUCING EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS (PDOs), BRIGHT START, BRIGHT KIDS, BRIGHT FUTURE ENEWS AND ARCHIVE, PENNSYLVANIA QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM (PQAS), PENNSYLVANIA PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND COMPETENCIES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE) PROFESSIONALS & PROGRAM DIRECTOR RESOURCES, PQAS INSTRUCTORS & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ORGANIZATIONS (PLOs) RESOURCES, LETS TALK QUALITY: PROGRAM QUALITY IN PENNSYLVANIA BLOG, RESOURCES ON COVID-19 IN PA FOR ECE PROGRAMS & PROFESSIONALS, General Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information, Recorded Webinars for Child Care Providers. If an individual has symptoms of COVID-19 they should test as soon as possible. CDCs vaccines schedule at-a-glance (PDF). Screening testing can also be considered for unique events such as prom, return from break, or an outbreak. For example, if two cases occur on a soccer team but the cases are siblings, this would not be considered an outbreak because the transmission can be explained by their linkage as siblings. Sign up for one or more newsletters available from OCDEL and/or Pennsylvanias Promise for Children. supports that mask wearing has no significant adverse health effects for wearers. The PA Key website is best viewed in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. While procedural and surgical masks intended for health care providers and first responders, such as Appendix A COVID-19 Certification Requirements: OCDEL Guidance Chart, Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department ofHealth Directing Face Coverings in School Entities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, Licensed Facility COVID Data Collection Tool, CERTIFICATION SERVICES NEWS THE PENNSYLVANIA KEY, A facility shall be operated in conformity compliance with the Order. All close contacts of a cases exposed cohort (class, grade, team etc.) 5. Overview of COVID-19 Isolation for K-12 Schools. Once isolation has finished, and if they are able to mask, individuals must wear a high-quality (N95 or KN95) mask in school through day 10. If possible, increase ventilation in the building by either: Handwashing & Respiratory Etiquette when transmission levels are medium or high in the community and masks are recommended. Will OCDEL Certification staff be evaluating face coverings for their safety, and if yes, will OCDEL provide guidance on mask safety (any materials that masks should not be made from, masks with ties vs. ear holes, homemade masks that become worn from frequent washing)? Services. Currently the Health Department is not recommending school or class-wide pauses and will only do so in exceptional circumstances. Read more about staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Facilities who do not have access to the COVID Data Promoting Inclusion & Reducing Expulsion and Suspension PA-HAN 619 for additional information on quarantine periods. Isolation: Separates an individual who is sick with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Outbreak: Two or more cases among students/staff without other identified epidemiological linkages, with onset within 14 days in a single classroom or core group (e.g., teams, band). Sunset: Sept. 30, 2021, Announcement C-20-11:Non-Licensed Part-Day School Age Child Care (SACC) Program or Learning Pod Notification of Operation Sunset: Sept. 30, 2021, Announcement 20-17:Child Care Works Payment During the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency suspected outbreak of a communicable CDC and DOH also recommend a 10-day Those individuals capable of masking must wear a mask after an exposure. N95 respirators, meet those requirements, these specialized masks should be reserved for In an effort to extend the scope of schools mitigation measures, the Health Department can aid by providing over-the-counter tests to your school. This is the best way to stop outbreaks before they start. Access The definition of school entity in the Order For more information, see cleaning and disinfecting your facility. Environmental Resources, the Department Further, research Check the full list of symptoms from the CDC. Key Terms | The Certification Bureau receives inquiries regarding a variety of topics, including: The requirements and process for opening a child care facility. How long does a person with COVID-19 need to isolate? Code Chapter 27 (relating to 5% of students/staff confirmed cases in a 14-day window: Small school (<500 staff & students): 25 case threshold, Medium school (500-900 staff & students): 25-45 case threshold, Large school (900+ staff & students): 45+ case threshold. Obsolete: December 10, 2021, Announcement C-20-04:Suspension of Regulatory Requirementsfor Certified Child Care Facilities Duringthe COVID-19 PandemicSunset: Sept. 30, 2021, Announcement C-21-05: Obsolete Certification Announcements for Certified Child Care Providers Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in . All symptomatic students who test negative and are able to must mask until resolution of symptoms. Make sure you have all the vaccines you are eligible for at CDCs vaccines schedule at-a-glance (PDF). For guidance on pediatric common clinical scenarios, visit Resources for schools and early childhood education and look under Supplemental Guidance. The guidance for quarantine and isolation below is designed for non-fully vaccinated individuals, which includes children. The staff member waiting with the student should wear a N95, KN95, or KF94 mask or should double mask. See early childhood education (ECE) guidance. Schools and ECE programs should monitor and reinforce these behaviors, especially duringkey times in the day (for example, before and after eating, after using the restroom, and after recess) and should also provide adequate handwashing supplies, including soap and water. In addition to this guide, schools may refer to CDC's Close Contact: A person who was within six feet of an infected person for 15 consecutive minutes starting from two days before illness onset (or for asymptomatic infected people, two days prior to positive test collection) until the time the infected person is isolated. The following is intended as a plain-language summary of rules during the COVID-19 emergency and does not replace the need to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. To get the most from their education, children need to connect with peers and their surroundings in-person. Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC) Athletics: At high community transmission levels, the Health Department strongly recommends that athletes practice outdoors whenever possible and if indoors mask during play. with local health departments must report to their respective local health department We recommend building a safety net with other strategies in the classroom, including masking and vaccination of staff, ventilation and increasing space between individuals. on PAs Department of Human Services (DHS) website, on PAs Department of Education (PDE) website, Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA), Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC), Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), Pennsyvlania Head Start Association (PHSA), Promoting Inclusion & Reducing Expulsion and Suspension. Schools should continue to utilize prevention strategies such as masking, physical distancing, testing, ventilation, handwashing, and staying home when sick to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. To find early childhood education (ECE) job opportunities, visit the Job Search page. If students develop symptoms, they should be brought to a designated isolation room while waiting to be picked up. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Schools and ECE programs should teach and reinforce covering coughs and sneezes to help keep individuals from getting and spreading infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The citations for non-compliance with the Order will be issued under 55 While the risk of monkeypox to children and adolescents is low, schools and ECEs should take the same precautions that are utilized to stop the spread of other infectious diseases. This content was last updated on October 4, 2022. Strongly encouraging universal and correct use of face masks when indoors for all staff and students 2 years of age and older: when staff and students return from 5-day isolation and masking is strictly required on days 6-10. for 10 days when staff and students are exposed. Face masks help to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. these are now located in the PD Registry. The order applies to all child care providers licensed by the Department of Human Maximizing the amount of outside air circulated by the system. Persons who meet the following criteria do NOT need to quarantine: How long does a close contact need to quarantine? communicable and noncommunicable The Health Department has developed a COVID-19 sample screening tool. Encourage staff and parents to talk to their own and their childrens physicians about their individual risk factors for COVID-19 and the risks of working at or attending school. People who are quarantining should stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days after the last contact with a person who has COVID-19 and wear a It emphasizes layered preventative measures for spread of COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases, such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus, to support safe and healthy learning environments for all. As we adapt to the ever-changing pandemic, we know more and have more tools to help us let teachers teach and students learn with fewer disruptions. gymnasium. CDC's updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. The This announcement replaces announcement C-21-04 Best Practices for Child Care FacilitiesOperating During the Novel Coronavirus in its entirety. Individual cases who cannot mask because they are under 2 years old or for medical reasons, must isolate for 10 days. The Department will consult with you on management issues for your facility. outdoors. to COVID-19. Children older than 2 who cannot mask for medical reasons stated above should receive an antigen test every other day until day 10 in order to limit transmission. The CDC recommends that those who were exposed to COVID-19 and are not up-to-date on their vaccinations, and those who are unvaccinated, stay . Keystone STARS Re-Visioning Quarantine: Separates and restricts the movement of an individual who was exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. As the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia evolves, there may be additional changes to the guidance, so please connect to the COVID-19 texts (text COVIDPHL to 888-777) to have the most up-to-date information. As we enter the third year of the pandemic and begin a new school year, we have drawn on lessons learned and input from schools and communities to create a framework that helps children continue in-person learning. This guidance gives some flexibility for ECEs to look at the transmission rate in their area and the unique variables of their community to make decisions about which strategies to use to stop transmission. of Labor and Industry, the Department of Because these children cannot mask, they will need to be tested. As with any infectious disease in the ECE setting, individuals who are sick should stay home when they are not feeling well or if they have tested positive for COVID-19. Individuals or schools may continue to choose to implement quarantine if desired. nature, shall report it promptly to the It also includes providing adequate handwashing supplies and cleaning and disinfecting facilities. The https:// in the address bar means your information is encrypted and can not be accessed by anyone else Implement plans to comply with the Acting Secretary of Healths Order on or before Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can also be used. certified child care facilities as well as provide clarification of ongoing reporting requirements related Anyone with symptoms who has not yet received their test result yet should also stay at home. Maintaining healthy facilities when transmission levels are medium or high in the community and masks are recommended. Ensure facility has updated contact information (including date of birth, phone number, home address, grade level, and cohort) for all staff and families to facilitate contact tracing and rapid communication. Requirements for Schools | To sign up for weekly RECAP updates visit CERTIFICATION SERVICES NEWS - THE PENNSYLVANIA KEY (pakeys.org). staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. 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