HI DOE Respiratory Guidance for K-12 schools

Hawai’i DOH COVID update and newly released Respiratory Guidance for K-12 Schools

As positive cases of COVID-19 are still prevalent in Hawaiʻi, it is important for all of us to continue to be diligent to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases in the community.

The state Department of Health (DOH) recently released updated respiratory safety guidance for K-12 schools.

The new guidance is no longer specific to COVID-19, but reminds students and staff to stay home if you experience symptoms of a respiratory virus until fever-free for 24 hours after the fever ends (without fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.

• Get immunized against vaccine-preventable illnesses, including seasonal flu and COVID-19

• Consult with your health care provider regarding testing and treatment options promptly when symptoms first appear;

• Wear a mask for your own protection, and when returning to work/school after recovering from a respiratory illness;

• Practice good hand hygiene and cover your cough with your arm or a mask;

• Avoid contact with people with compromised immune systems for five days when returning to work/school after a recent respiratory illness.
  
  

Positive for COVID-19

• Students and staff who are positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate or quarantine for any specific time period. 

• Students and staff must stay home until fever free for 24 hours after the fever ends, without fever-reducing medications and symptoms are getting better if symptoms exist. 

• Each individual’s timeline for return will vary depending on when their symptoms improve.
  (Refer to pages 2 to 4 for examples.)

• Once students or staff return to school following an episode of a respiratory illness, the DOH is recommending they take added precautions for a 5-day period. Added precautions includes

  • Increasing the frequency of hygiene practices to include hand washing

  • Monitoring possible symptoms and potentially testing if symptoms start or return

  • Avoiding contact with people with compromised immune systems 

  • Masking
    
    

Updates will be provided as they are shared with administration.
Mahalo for your support by doing your part in taking these extra precautions.