Child Care & Camps – Coronavirus

Child care provides crucial support for parents and guardians returning to work, but parents may have anxiety about taking their children back to child care programs while COVID-19 exists in the community. No matter the level of transmission in a community, every child care program should have a plan in place to protect staff, children and their families from the spread of COVID-19. VDH works closely with the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) and other partners to create guidance for these settings.

Resources for Child Care Providers

Resources for Parents

Case and Outbreak Reporting

Resources for Facilities

Day and Overnight Camps

Resources from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)

(UPDATED) VDH COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Child Care Facility Collaboration with the Local Health Department (2/17/21)
VDH Guidance for Public Health Prioritization of COVID-19 Point Prevalence Surveys (8/19/20)
Contact Tracing as a Partnership Involving VDH, the Child and Parents/Guardians, and Schools/Child Care Programs (7/21/20)
VDH Considerations for Recreational Sports
Template Letters for COVID-19 Cases in the Center
- Template Letter - Positive case with exposure in school (10/22/20)
- Template Letter - Positive case with no exposure in school (10/22/20)

Resources from the Department of Social Services (DSS)

Department of Social Services (DSS) Webpage for Childcare
DSS Child Care Phase III Reopening Guidance (9/25/20)
DSS Child Care Phase II Reopening Guidance (6/4/2020)
DSS Child Care Phase I Reopening Guidance (May 13, 2020)

Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Learn how to talk with children about coronavirus disease 2019:

It is important to have open and honest conversations with children about the role they play in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and the changes they may expect this school year. Learn more about how to talk to children about COVID-19 here.

Considerations for decisions regarding the new school year:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided guidance documents to help families make decisions regarding sending their children back to school this year (more information here), and how to keep children safe and healthy while school is out (more information here). Additionally, a checklist intended to help parents, guardians, and caregivers plan and prepare for the upcoming school year is available here.

For information about participation in recreational sports, visit VDH Considerations for Recreational Sports.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)

While children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults, VDH, CDC and other public health staff are investigating Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) linked to COVID-19. MIS-C may cause problems with a child’s heart and other systems in the body. Signs and symptoms of MIS-C include fever, belly or gut pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, rash, red or cracked lips, red or bumpy tongue, or swollen hands and feet.

If your child has any of these signs or other symptoms of COVID-19, contact your pediatrician. If your child is showing any emergency warning signs including trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest that won’t go away, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face, severe belly pain, or other concerning signs, seek emergency care right away.

VDH Resources:

VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care?
- E nglish, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic (12/11/20 - translations posted 1/4/2020)
VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care? Infographics Only
- English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic (12/11/20 - translations posted 1/4/2020)
VDH Algorithm for Evaluating a Child with COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposures
- 1-pager: English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish (12/8/20 - translations posted 12/30/20)
- 2-pager: English , Arabic , Chinese , Korean , Spanish (12/8/20 - translations posted 12/30/20)

The new COVID-19 standard adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry requires all employers to report positive cases of COVID-19 to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

The Emergency Temporary Standard also provides that “The employer shall notify the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry within 24 hours of the discovery of three (3) or more employees present at the place of employment within a 14-day period testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus during that 14-day time period.”

COVID-19 case reports must be filed through the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) online reporting portal. By using this portal, these case reports will ensure VDH and DOLI reporting compliance. The new online reporting portal allows employers to submit up to 10 COVID-19 positive cases.

General questions can be addressed to respiratory@vdh.virginia.gov

Cleaning

Communication and Signage

The VDH Signage Toolkits for Businesses includes signage to promote hand hygiene, physical distancing, and to encourage mask use.
COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Communication Toolkits (CDC)
COVID Related Videos/PSA's (CDC)
Print-ready resources (CDC)
Hygiene-related Posters (CDC)
Handwashing Activities for Children

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.

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 EPA’s website on Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19) has more information about how to reduce potential airborne transmission of COVID-19. The EPA also provides an Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Technical Resources for the Reopening of Schools and Universities. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) also has Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings, which may be helpful for school facilities.