Daily Symptom Screening

Updated: February 1, 2022

Daily Symptom Screening for COVID-19

Updated: February 1, 2022


Do you have a:

  • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Muscle aches or body aches

  • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)

  • Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms

  • Headache when in combination with other symptoms

  • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms

  • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms


Unvaccinated & Vaccinated Individuals: The list above applies to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals who experience any symptoms on the list above should follow the MPS Protocol for Symptomatic Individuals.


MPS Protocol for Symptomatic Individuals: Return to school post-symptoms with optional test


• Duration: Dependent on symptom resolution


• Return to School - Individuals may return to school after they:

  • have improvement in symptoms.

  • have been without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.


  1. It is also recommended that individuals receive a negative PCR or antigen test result for COVID-19. An antigen test may be self-administered and does not need to be proctored or performed by a healthcare professional.

  2. So long as the individual is not a close contact, if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis for the COVID-19-like symptoms, the individual may use this recommendation (e.g., for influenza or strep pharyngitis) in lieu of a PCR test or antigen test.


Please note: If an individual has mild symptoms, the individual may be considered for testing using BinaxNOW, if available.

        • If the result is positive, they should be sent home and isolate accordingly.

        • If the result is negative, they should remain in school.

        • If the minimal symptom(s) persist, the individual may be re-tested within the subsequent 3 days. If symptoms worsen, the individual should seek medical care and be evaluated for the need for PCR testing.


Please note that, consistent with the DPH Public Health Advisory Regarding COVID-19 Testing, these protocols have been adjusted to recommend, but not require, a COVID-19 test to return to school.