Returning to School After Testing Positive for COVID
Isolation for testing positive or for having COVID-19 symptoms is strongly recommended but not required.
If your child is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, return if:
- Symptoms are not severe, AND
- They have spent at least 24 hours with no fever, without taking fever-reducing medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
If symptoms do not improve or are severe, if they are at high risk of serious disease, or if they have questions concerning care, contact your healthcare provider for available treatments.
When Someone Gets Sick
Screen for symptoms and stay home if you're sick
It takes all of us to maintain safe and healthy schools. This means all school staff and students should:
- Self-screen for COVID-19 before coming to school every day
- Stay home when sick
- Wash or sanitize hands frequently
Masks are strongly recommended but not required.
| Scenario | Action |
|---|---|
Student/Staff exhibits COVID-19 symptoms Symptoms include:
| Student:
Staff:
|
| Student/Staff tests positive for COVID-19 | Student:
Staff:
|
| Student/Staff reports being a close contact of someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19 | Recommend following California Department of Health (CDPH) guidelines for testing and isolation |
Helpful Definitions
(see CDPH Guidance for Local Health Jurisdictions on Isolation and Quarantine of the General Public)
- For symptomatic confirmed cases, 2 days before the confirmed case had any symptoms (symptom onset date is Day 0) through Days 5-10 after symptoms first appeared AND 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and symptoms have improved, OR
- For asymptomatic confirmed cases, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date (collection date is Day 0) through Day 5 after positive specimen collection date for their first positive COVID-19 test.
This page was last updated on March 21, 2024