Screening, Self-Reporting & School Exclusion

One of the most important things parents/guardians can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to keep your child home when sick.  Any of the following symptoms may be a sign of COVID-19 and students and staff should remain home if exhibiting any of these symptoms:

 

  • Fever or chills, particularly a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore Throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

 

The North Penn School District follows the direction and guidance of the Montgomery County Office of Public Health.  The Office of Public Health has developed a school exclusion guide for students with symptoms of COVID-19, those with a positive COVID-19 test result, persons awaiting a COVID test, and individuals who have had close contact with a person who has contracted COVID-19. Please view the school exclusion guide or see below. In the event your child falls into one of these categories, please contact your school principal and school nurse immediately.

If a student or staff member is suspected of having COVID-19 while in school, the individual will be isolated until he or she leaves for home.  Each building has identified an isolation room.  The Office of Public Health will be notified.  The district will follow direction from the Office of Public Health in terms of notifications to individuals who may have been in contact with the person suspected of having

There is currently no standard recommendation from the Office of Public Health as to when a classroom or school should be closed due to the spread of COVID-19 as each situation involves a unique set of circumstances.  Decisions are made based on evidence of transmission with the school community.  The Office of Public Health will work closely with North Penn School District to complete contact tracing and advise as to when a classroom or school must be closed.  Families will be notified as soon as possible based upon direction from the Office of Public Health.

COVID-19 School Exclusion Recommendations from Montgomery County Office of Public Health

COVID-19 School Exclusion Recommendation

 COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

  • Two of the following symptoms: fever (measured or subjective), chills, fatigue, myalgia, headache, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

OR

  • One of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or new loss of taste or smell
  

 Individual should be tested for COVID-19.

  • If test result is negative OR doctor's note with differential diagnosis, return to school after 24 hours afebrile AND improved respiratory symptoms
  • If test result is positive or individual is unable/refuses to get tested, may return to school after: 

          - 24 hours with no fever and
          - improvement in symptoms and
          - 10 days since symptoms first appeared

 
 Positive COVID-19 PCR or Antigen (Point of Care) Test
 With Symptoms
May return to school after:
  • 24 hours with no fever and
  • improvement in symptoms and
  • 10 days since symptoms first appeared

Without Symptoms
May return to school after

  • 10 days after specimen was collected

*If symptoms develop during the 10 days, follow return to school guidance for positive PCR or Antigen test with symptoms
 Close Contact to Positive*
  • Within 6ft for 15 minutes or more
  • Household contact

*Close contacts should be tested regardless of symptoms, however a negative test result does not end quarantine early.

 With Symptoms
Individual should be tested for COVID-19
May return to school after:
  • 24 hours with no fever and
  • improvement in symptoms and
  • 10 days since symptoms first appeared

Without Symptoms
Excluded 14 days after last date of exposure to the person with COVID-19 

  • Household contacts may require further investigation, by either OPH or school officials, to determine dates of quarantine 

A negative test does not allow an individual to end their quarantine period early.

*If symptoms develop during the 14 days, follow return to school guidance for Close Contact with symptoms
 **PA Travel Mandate
  • Critical workers are encouraged to wear both a face shield and mask and social distance, if unable to quarantine
 With Symptoms
If symptoms develop during the 14 day return to PA, follow return to school guidance for COVID-19 symptoms.  		Without Symptoms
A negative COVID-19 test must be completed within 72 hours prior to entering PA
  • Residents who are unable to be tested before returning to the state can be tested upon return, but must quarantine until they receive their results
  • If someone cannot or chooses not to be tested, they must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in PA

This does NOT apply to travelers under age 11 or people who commute to and from another state for work or medical exemption. For more information, click here. 

         

2020-PAHAN-517-07-18-UPD: Discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions for Patients with COVID-19
2020-PAHAN-527-09-21-ADV: Testing and Management Guidance for Patients After Exposure to SARS-CoV-2
**PADOH COVID 19 Information for Travelers

Designated Contact Information for Schools
Phone: 610-278-6211
Email: [email protected]
Updated December 7, 2020