On July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their K-12 school mask recommendations in response to emerging data about the Delta variant. CDC recommends universal masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status.
On August 12, 2021, State Health Commissioner Dr. M. Norman Oliver issued a Public Health Order requiring all students, teachers, staff, and visitors in K-12 schools aged two years and older to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. All Virginia public and private K-12 schools (including PreK classrooms) must implement a requirement that students, teachers, and staff wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Please refer the Frequently Asked Questions for more information regarding this Public Health Order.
Schools should follow Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Virginia PreK-12 Schools (UPDATED 10/14/21). This guidance emphasizes several key prevention strategies, including vaccination, masking, physical distancing, screening testing, ventilation, hand hygiene, cleaning, staying home when sick, and prompt contact tracing once any cases are identified. Of all available prevention strategies, vaccination, masking, and physical distancing should be prioritized.
CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools (10/18/21)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Guidance for Safe Schools (7/18/21)
More information about schools and COVID-19 can be found on the VDH FAQs webpage and the DOE FAQs webpage.
VDH in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education has prepared some helpful resources to keep children healthy this school year, whether in-person or online. For additional information regarding recommendations and policies about COVID-19, immunizations, and other information including child well visits, routine oral health, and mental health resources for your child, visit VDH's Back to School Safety Guide webpage. COVID-19 resources for parents include:
- CDC Know What to Expect at your Child's K-12 School or Child Care Program
- VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care? (9/15/21)
- VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care? Infographics Only (9/15/21)
- VDH Algorithm for Evaluating a Child with COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposures (9/15/21)
- Contact Tracing Process for K-12 (8/6/21)
- VDH Isolation and Quarantine - What's the Difference Infographic (8/19/21)
- VDH When to End Isolation or Quarantine (10/28/21)
- Clarification of VDH K-12 Close Contact Definitions and Quarantine Periods (9/10/21)
- VDH COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ's
COVID-19 transmission may occur outside the school classroom. VDH offers additional resources to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during performing arts and sports activities:
VDH Guidance for K-12 Performing Arts (9/22/2021)
VDH Considerations for Recreational Sports
AAP Sports and Physical Activities Guidance (9/20/2021)
Printable and Resources for your classroom:
Additional Resources:
Considerations for Students with Disabilities or Special Healthcare Needs:
A customized and individualized approach for COVID-19 may be necessary for some children and youth. Under the Mask Alternatives heading, the CDC guidance on masks also contains information on masks for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or rely on lip reading to communicate, students who have a disability, childhood mental health condition, or sensory concern, and students who are receiving one-on-one services or instruction.
The CDC provides guidance for direct service providers such as personal care attendants, direct support professionals, paraprofessionals, therapists, and others who may need to consider additional protective measures.
Worker Safety and Support
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of COVID-19
Resources on coping with stress and building resilience among the strong emotions surrounding workplace changes due to COVID-19.
Signage
Cleaning
HVAC/Indoor Air Quality
More research is needed to determine how much of a role aerosol transmission plays in spreading COVID-19. Increasing ventilation in indoor spaces is one way to reduce potential spread by this route. The following resources offer information on how to reduce potential airborne risk of COVID-19.
- EPA Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- EPA Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit
- CDC Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs
- CDC Ventilation in Buildings
- ASHRAE Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- ASHRAE Technical Resources for the Reopening of Schools and Universities.
- AIHA Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings.
Water Quality
If a building has been closed or unused for a period of time, there is an increased risk of exposure to hazards including Legionella bacteria and lead. Follow the EPA’s guidance for Water Quality in Closed/Reduced-use Buildings to reopen school buildings.
Many resources are available to school nurses, including resources specific to COVID-19, from professional organizations:
- The Virginia Association of School Nurses (VASN)
- The National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- VDH infographic: an overview of the Core Principles for School Nurses
- VDH School Health Services
- Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) School Health Services
- Community Resources for Families (food, housing, mental health)
Information about public health practice for COVID-19
- Role of VDH and K-12 Schools in COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Efforts (8/26/21)
- VDH Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for K-12 Schools (8/19/21)
- VDH Contact Tracing Overview
- VDH Isolation and Quarantine - What's the Difference Infographic (8/19/21)
- VDH When to End Isolation or Quarantine (10/28/21)
Information about school procedures during COVID-19
Health Screening
Families, faculty, and staff should self-monitor signs/symptoms of COVID-19 and stay home when ill.
- VDH Resources
- VDH Algorithm for Evaluating a Child with COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposures (9/15/21)
- VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care? (9/15/21)
- VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care? Infographics Only (9/15/21)
- VDOE sample health screening
- VDOE sample health entrance questionnaires. Spanish version here
Immunization and School Physicals
- School Requirements – Immunization
- Back to School Immunization Tool Kit (NASN)
- CDC Immunization Tool Kit
- School Entrance Physicals Policy
- School Entrance Health Form- English Fillable
- School Entrance Health Form - Spanish Fillable
Infection Control
Current data suggest person-to-person transmission most commonly occurs during close exposure to a person infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
CDC recommends that healthcare personnel in schools and child care settings, including school nurses, follow the Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel. VDH provides similar information about infection prevention in healthcare settings, found here.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Understanding the Difference Between Surgical Mask and N-95 Masks
- OSHA N-95 Fit Testing Videos
- Contact your Medical Reserve Corp unit regarding fit testing
Professional Development for School Nurses
- Sign up for NEW School Health/Nurse Listserv (2020-21) to receive the most updated school health information.
- COVID-19 Education Modules
- Professional Development for VA School Nurses
- COVID-19 Johns Hopkins Contact Tracing Course
- ASTHO Contact Tracing Course
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious complication associated with COVID-19. In MIS-C, parts of the body can become inflamed, such as the heart, lungs, or gastrointestinal organs. While we don’t know exactly what causes MIS-C, many children with MIS-C had COVID-19 infection and it seems to develop a few weeks following infection. Prompt recognition and treatment are very important. Children with MIS-C may have a fever and other symptoms, including belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired.
Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic right away if your child is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or MIS-C. Seek emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these emergency warning signs or other concerning signs: trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure that won’t away, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips, nails, or face, severe belly pain.
Considerations for Opening Schools
- U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 Handbook volume 1 and volume 2
- CDC checklist for school transmission prevention measures
- CDC Toolkit for Responding to COVID-19 Cases
- CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools
- CDC Classroom Physical Distance
- CDC FAQs for School Administrators
Public Health Guidance for Schools
- Role of VDH and K-12 Schools in COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Efforts (8/26/21)
- VDH Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for K-12 Schools (8/19/21)
- VDH Interim Recommendations for the Safe Operation of Libraries (10/5/21)
- VDH Guidance for Performing Arts (9/22/2021)
Reporting Requirements
The revised Virginia Standard adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry requires all employers to report two or more positive cases of COVID-19 among employees to VDH.
COVID-19 case reports must be filed through the online reporting portal. By using this portal, these case reports will ensure VDH and DOLI reporting compliance. The reporting portal allows employers to submit up to 10 COVID-19 positive cases.
Template Letters
- Template Letter from Daycare/School: COVID-19 Exposure (9/13/21)
- Template Letter from Daycare/School: COVID-19 Case (9/13/21)
- Template Letter from Daycare/School: COVID-19 Outbreak (9/13/21)
Additional Resources
A tabletop training exercise developed in collaboration between VDH and DOE is a scenario-based training for K-12 schools. Links can be found here.
Communication and Signage
- The VDH Signage Toolkits for Businesses includes signage to promote hand hygiene, physical distancing, and to encourage mask use.
- CDC COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Communication Toolkits
- CDC COVID Related Videos/PSA's
- CDC Print-ready resources
- CDC Hygiene-related Posters
- Handwashing Activities for Children
Department of Education School Health Services COVID-19 Training:
- School Health Services Training about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- School Health Services Training for Parents
- School Health Services Training for Students
- School Health Services Training for Nurses
Vaccination of the School-Age Population Playbook
- In the School-Age Vaccination Playbook, resources for planning, operating, and executing vaccination clinics at schools can be found. The playbook covers pre-planning steps, necessary communications, mapped out day-of operations, and important legal considerations. Templates for consent forms and communications, in addition to additional tools and helpful links, can also be found in the playbook. Note that this playbook is an ongoing work in progress and will be updated in accordance with guidance from the CDC and feedback from clinic planners.
- Vaccination of the School-Age Population Playbook
