Making Sense of the Screening for Illness – January 2022

With the changes to the screening for COVID and the need to keep our community safe, we have taken the Provincial Screening tool and broken it down into the following document.

For the assessment of symptoms and isolation use the following guidelines:

  •   If the individual is fully vaccinated OR 11 years old or younger, use 5 days
  •   If the individual is 12 years of age or older and not fully vaccinated OR if they are immune-compromised, use 10 days

Anyone who is sick or has any new or worsening symptoms of illness, including those not listed below, should stay home until their symptoms are improving for 24 hours and should seek an assessment from their health care provider if needed.

Household members of any individual with any of the symptoms below are to stay home as indicated, regardless of vaccination status.

GROUP 1: ONE OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS 

  • FEVER AND/OR CHILLS
  • COUGH OR BARKING COUGH
  • SHORTNESS OF BREATH
  • DECREASE OR LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL

REMAIN HOME AND ISOLATE FOR A MINIMUM OF 5 DAYS IF VACCINATED/10 DAYS UNVACCINATED. IF SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN IMPROVING FOR 24 HOURS AT THE END OF THE ISOLATION PERIOD THEY MAY RETURN.

IF SYMPTOMS ARE NOT IMPROVING AT THE END OF THE 5/10 DAYS REMAIN AT HOME UNTIL THEY ARE IMPROVING FOR 24 HOURS

POSSIBLE EARLY RETURN: If the individual is symptomatic but has tested negative for COVID-19 on a single PCR test or two rapid antigen tests (RAT) taken 24 hours apart, and symptoms have been improving for 24 hours individuals may return to school.

GROUP 2: ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS(Unless any symptom is related to other known causes or conditions)

  • SORE THROAT OR DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING
  • RUNNY, STUFFY OR CONGESTED NOSE
  • HEADACHE
  • EXTREME TIREDNESS
  • MUSCLE ACHES OR JOINT PAIN
  • NAUSEA, VOMITING OR DIARRHEA

If the individual has experienced only one of these symptoms the individual must stay home until the symptom has been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea). Other household members may attend school.

If the individual has experienced two or more of these symptoms the individual AND Family Members must stay home and follow the isolation process listed in GROUP 1 above.