Thank you for all you are doing to keep our community safe! As Michigan experiences a surge in cases, it is especially important to take every precaution in order to give us our best chance for continuing in-person learning and keep our students and families healthy. We are counting on you to mask up, practice social distancing, limit outings/gatherings and follow our health and safety procedures closely.

In light of the spread of COVID-19 locally, Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) has made some recent revisions to their COVID-19 guidelines for schools. We’re asking each family to review these changes carefully. At the end of this document, you’ll find some FAQs to help you determine what this means to your family.

Change #1: In the past, any student experiencing ANY COVID-19 symptom was sent home and encouraged to seek a medical evaluation. OCHD has now adopted the one “high risk” symptom or two “low risk” symptoms rule.

High risk symptoms are:

New cough
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell

Low risk symptoms are:

Fever (over 100.4 F)*
Chills
Muscle aches
Headache
Sore throat
Fatigue
Diarrhea (2x in 24 hours)*
Nausea
Vomiting*
Congestion or runny nose

If a student is experiencing one “high risk” or two “low risk” symptoms, a SARS-COV2 PCR test is strongly recommended. A negative test result will be required to return to school. If you choose not to have your student tested, he/she will be excluded from school until 10 days have passed since symptom onset AND at least 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing medication AND symptoms have improved. Any student experiencing one “high risk” or two “low risk” symptoms will NOT be cleared with only a doctor’s note of clearance and an alternative diagnosis.

*Note that a student experiencing only (1) fever, vomiting, or diarrhea will still be excluded from school until free of symptoms for 72 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication. However, if only experiencing the one symptom, he/she will not be required to be tested for COVID-19.

Change #2: The OCHD added a recommendation to the screening question regarding international travel “Have you traveled internationally within the last 14 days?” Academy of the Sacred Heart, however, will continue to require quarantine for international travel, and reserves the right to require a shift to remote learning and/or proof of a recent, local, negative PCR test result if you travel during the school year. You may review the full policy here.

Change #3: If someone in the household is experiencing symptoms or waiting for test results, now all household contacts are excluded from work/school if a family member is experiencing symptoms and while results are pending. This includes parents and siblings. If a student is experiencing symptoms, siblings should not attend school until a negative PCR test result is received.

From the OCHD: “All household contacts are excluded from work/school while results are pending. If test results are positive or if symptomatic person does not get tested, household contacts are to quarantine for 14 days from last known exposure.” If isolation during one’s infectious period of 10 days is not possible, quarantine can be up to 24 days.

This is a lot to take in, and you may be asking, how does this affect me? First and foremost, our screening questions will change, effective Tuesday, November 3. Your honest and thoughtful responses are key! Some anticipated frequently asked questions are provided below.

FAQs

My child has congestion but has no other symptoms of COVID. Can he/she attend school?

Yes, because your student is only experiencing one "low risk" symptom.

My child has a fever of 100.5 degrees (or vomiting or diarrhea) and no other symptoms. Can he/she attend school?

No, although fever is considered one "low risk" symptom, fever (or vomiting or diarrhea) is still a symptom of contagious infection. Your student must remain out until fever free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 72 hours AND not develop any other symptoms of COVID-19. If your student does not develop any other symptoms of COVID-19, your child does not require a visit to the doctor or a SARS-COV2 PCR test.

My child has a sore throat, headache and fever. He was diagnosed with Strep throat. Does my child require a SARS-COV2 PCR test?

Unfortunately, yes. If a student has two or more mild/"low risk" symptoms of COVID-19, a test is required, even if another diagnosis is determined.

My child only has a cough, no fever. Can he/she attend school?

No, cough is considered a "high risk" symptom. Your child must be tested for COVID-19 (PCR) to be cleared to return to school. If you choose not to have your child tested, he/she will remain out of school for 10 days from the onset of symptoms. A doctor can no longer clear a student with cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing without testing the student for COVID-19.

My son has a cough. I know he needs to stay home and be tested for COVID-19. However, may my daughter attend school?

No. If a family member is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and/or waiting for test results, the whole family must isolate and stay home from work/school until the negative test result is received. (I know, that is a hard one!) According to the Oakland County Health Department: "All household contacts are excluded from work/school while results are pending. If test results are positive, or if a symptomatic person does not get tested, household contacts are to quarantine for 14 days from last known exposure."

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns at rclements@ashmi.org. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.

Sincerely,
Robin Clements, R.N., B.S.N.
School Nurse