Q1: Is any documentation of TB clearance (i.e. proof of assessment) required with the Form 14 to document compliance?
A1: No. If the Form 14 has been completed, a separate TB clearance letter is not needed.
Q2: Do students who have opted for distance learning only need to fulfill health requirements (tuberculosis clearance, physical exam, and immunization)?
A2: If the student is never on campus or participating in any in-person school-sponsored activities - they are allowed provisional attendance until health requirements are met. Health requirements must be fullfilled if the student returns to campus-based or in-person instruction.
Q1: Should the isolation room be within the health room?
A1: A student with symtpoms of illness should be isolated from those who are well in a supervised area. Ideally, someplace other than the health room with good ventilation that maintains student privacy and is easy to clean. The isolation area should be on a route that minimizes interaction with other students or staff and should have two points of entry (one to enter and one to exit). The area should be marked so students know where they should be in the space. A sick student should not wait in the front office or any other high traffic areas.
Q2: Does the SHA need to supervise the isolation room?
A2: Any adult staff member may supervise students who are ill in the isolation room. It is important to maintain 6 feet of separation between individuals and everyone must wear a face mask. The suprvisor should be alert for any worsening symptoms and call the SHA/Administration/911 in the event of an emergency. Wash hands when entering and leaving the isolation room.
Q3: When do we isolate students? Symptoms of a common cold, fever, cough, vomiting, etc?
A3: Isolate students with any symptoms of illness.
Q4: Can more than one student be in the isolation area at a time?
A4: More than one student may be in an isolation area if there is a line of sight between each student and the adult supervising the space and at least 6 feet of physical distance is maintained between all individuals.
Q5: What PPE needs to be worn in the isolation room?
A5: All individuals, supervisor and students, must wear a face mask in the isolation room. During closer contact (less than 6 feet of separation), the use of a face shield is recommended. If physical contact is necessary, it is important for the employee to wash hands before and after the encounter.
Q6: Is it ok to use the isolation room for other purposes when no students are present in the room?
A6: It is not recommended to use an isolation room for anything other than for the purpose of containing the spread of infectious disease. If the room is being used for something such as storage, it would be necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect any materials in the room after each use by a student who is ill.
Q1: How often should I clean items in the health room?
A1: The SHA should clean and disinfect surfaces in the health room after each use.
Q2: Who should be cleaning the isolation room?
A2: A daily cleaning schedule including the isolation space must be developed in collabroation with the Principal and head custodian.
Q3: What is the process for cleaning after a student has been confirmed with COVID-19?
A4: When there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at school the Office of Facilities and Operation will work with the Principal to disinfect the area.
Q1: Who is responsible for ordering more PPE?
A1: HIDOE continues to receive PPE supplies from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Office of Facilities and Operations (OFO). Schools should keep the Complex Area Superintendent (CAS) informed of their PPE needs. If no supplies are available through OFO, the school is responsible for purchasing its own supplies.
Q2: Who is responsible for maintaining PPE used in the health room?
A2: The SHA is responsible for maintaining their own PPE such as cleaning and disinfecting faces shields and washing face masks. The SHA should ask the school administrator to keep a supply of disposable masks available for students in the health room.
Q3: When are the SHA’s to utilize the white gown?
A3: The gowns are to be used in cases of potential blood borne pathogen exposure or splash procedures only. Gowns are disposable and not to be reused.
Q4: Where is the guidance on PPE usage for SHAs?
A4: There are instructional videos for the SHA to use PPE located on the HIDOE School Health Assistant Resources website.
Q1: What symptoms are needed to send students home?
A1: A student with any symptoms of illness should be isolated from those who are well and sent home.
Q2: What about the child who has a runny nose for several weeks without any other symptoms? They are sent home for the day or are they excluded for 10 days?
A2: A runny nose is considered a COVID-like symptom. Send them home from school and follow the DOH return to school guidance. Clearance from a healthcare provider can allow a student to return to school.
Q3. What happens when parents do not pickup the student? What can the principal do?
A3: SHAs should work with their school administration to develop a plan for when parents/legal guardians cannot be reached or who do not arrive to pick up ill students in a timely manner.
Q4: When sending students home, do we also send the siblings home too?
A4: If the siblings of an ill student who is sent home are not ill, they may remain in school unless the ill child is being tested for COVID-19, at which point, the siblings (and all household contacts) should remain at home until the test results return.
If the COVID-19 test results are NEGATIVE:
The ill student may return to school as long as symptoms are resolving and he/she has no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Siblings (household contacts) may return to school if they are symptom-free.
If the COVID-19 test results are POSITIVE:
The ill student must remain at home until:
At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medication AND smptoms have improved (cough, shortness of breath).
Siblings (household contacts) must remain at home for 14 days if they have no further contact with person with COVID-19, or until 14 days after the person with COVID-19 is released from isolation if there is ongoing contact.
Q5: What if a teacher sends student to health room and says they blew their nose in class. Child denies COVID symptoms. Does this student need to go home and stay home for 10 days because runny nose is a COVID-like symptom and possible respiratory illness.
A5: Blowing a nose is not listed as a sign or symptom of illness. If the teacher states that the child has runny nose or the SHA/teacher/HIDOE staff observes a runny nose, the child should be isolated and sent home.
Q1: Does a student need to wear a face mask in the health room?
A1: Yes, anyone in the health room must wear a face mask.
Q2: When a student/parent reports they are not able to wear a mask due to medical reasons, what type of documentation do they need?
A2: A note from the student’s primary care provider stating they cannot wear a mask. Current CDC guidelines state a face shield should be worn if unable to wear a mask. Parents/guardians are responsible for providing face shields and masks for students.
Q1: Who will get notified of positive COVID cases?
A1: The principal or his/her desginee will be notified by the DOH if a someone at the school tests positive with COVID-19.
Q2: Will letters get sent to the whole school if there was a positive COVID-19 case?
A2: Any potential close contacts at school will be idenitifed and immediately notified regarding self-quarantine. The school staff and community will also receive notification if someone positive with COVID-19 has been on campus.
Q1: Where can I purchase additonal thermometers, face masks, face shields, etc.?
A1: The Office of Facilities and Operations has developed a list of potential vendors HERE (see Memo dated 5/29/20).
Q2: Are AED’s required on school campus?
A2: AED’s are not required but encouraged on school campuses.