*Sick Day Guidelines*
My child is ill, what should I do?
For general illness guidelines please see Guidelines for Common School Age Concerns and Illness. To view some illnesses seen in our schools view Trending Illnesses in Yorktown .
Following the updated CDC recommendations, the New York State Department of Health has revised its guidance for when to stay home and when individuals can return to normal activities after respiratory infections including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. En Espanol: AVISO DE SALUD .
If your child has symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID19, RSV, or the Flu (influenza) then under the new guidance:
Individuals should stay home and away from others , including people they live with who
are not sick if they have symptoms and a fever of 100.4 and above. Symptoms can include fever, chills,
fatigue, cough, runny nose, and Headache.
Individuals can go back to normal activities when, if for at least 24 hours, both of the
following are true:
o Congestion and Symptoms are improving and
o They no longer have a fever of 100.4 and have not used fever-reducing
medication.
If the 24 hours ends when school begins, they should wait one more day before returning
to school or work. If a person has vomiting or diarrhea they must also wait 24 hours before returning to school.
Call your School Building attendance office to report all absences and call your Building school nurse with any questions.
Once resuming normal activities, people are encouraged to take additional steps over the next five days,for added precautions such as:
1. Wearing a well-fitting mask
2. Keeping a distance from others
3. Taking steps for cleaner air
4. Enhancing hygiene practices
5. Respiratory testing to help you decide what to do next
It is recommended to wear a mask over the next 5 days after respiratory symptoms and/or a diagnosis of COVID, RSV, or the Flu to curb spread and safeguard the health and safety of susceptible immunocompromised people on immunosuppressive medications and chemotherapy at home and school.
Some people remain contagious beyond the “stay-at-home” period, taking added precautions can lower the chance of spreading respiratory viruses to others. People may still be able to spread the virus that made them sick, even if they are feeling better, so it is important to take extra precautions after resuming normal activities. Masking is recommended when in public until congestion and symptoms of cough have improved. Testing is no longer required as COVID, Flu and RSV are treated similarly with support management.
If individuals develop a fever or start to feel worse, they should stay home and away from others again. They should use the same criteria for returning to normal activities as when they first have symptoms and take added precautions over the next 5 days.
People who are at higher risk for severe illness who start to feel sick should seek health care right away so that they can access testing and/or treatment. Early treatment for COVID-19 or flu may prevent severe disease in people at higher risk, even if they are up to date with their vaccines. Individuals at risk, such as the elderly and those with an immunosuppressed status, should be tested for COVID and RSV as interventions are now available such as Paxlovid for COVID and monoclonal antibody treatment for RSV.
Questions about this guidance may be addressed to the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control at bcdc@health.ny.gov or call 518-473-4439.
COVID Info for YHS Athletes:
If your child is a YHS athlete and has/ had COVID during the season of play:
YHS Athletes are asked to bring in a note from their physician stating that : Student has a normal cardiovascular exam and is cleared for all unrestricted physical activities. If a student athlete has COVID within 4 weeks of sports during the sport season then they must also be cleared by our Athletic Trainer who does a return to play. Please call your nurse for further guidance.
For more guidance please review below: