If a student or staff member feels unwell after arriving at school, follow this flowchart from CDPHE. For any symptoms of COVID-19, the student or staff should be sent home. For students, they should wait in an isolation room, such as the nurse’s office, until a parent or guardian is able to pick them up.

Following symptoms of COVID-19, follow the Return to Learn guidance. If a student or staff member has a loss of taste or smell, they should stay out for 10 days after symptom onset, returning on the 11th day. If a student or staff member has any major symptom (fever/feeling feverish, new or worsening cough, or shortness of breath) that lasts more than 24 hours OR only minor symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, headache, etc.) that lasts more than 48 hours they will need a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school. The tests acceptable for this purpose are: PCR, Curative, Abbott ID NOW, or Binax.

If a student has any symptoms of COVID-19 but is not a close contact of anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, follow the Return to Learn guidance. If a student or staff member has any major symptom (fever/feeling feverish, new or worsening cough, or shortness of breath) that lasts more than 24 hours OR only minor symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, headache, etc.) that lasts more than 48 hours they will need a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school. The tests acceptable for this purpose are: PCR, Curative, Abbott ID NOW, or Binax.

If a student has no symptoms but was exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, they may be allowed to test for a shorter quarantine period. If they do not develop new symptoms of COVID-19, choose to get tested on or after the 6th day since exposure, receive a negative result, and do not have contact with high risk individuals, then they may quarantine through the 7th day since exposure. They may resume normal activities including returning to school on the 8th day since exposure. A PCR test is the best option for this purpose, as it is sensitive to COVID-19 among asymptomatic individuals. 

However, schools have the opportunity to determine which of the three quarantine options to enforce for close contacts returning to school. This means that while a student or staff may test negative to be released from community quarantine, the school does not have to allow them to return to school on that day. Schools may choose to enforce the 10-day or 14-day period before allowing students or staff to return.

Schools and childcares should designate a staff member with decision-making authority that families and staff can notify of suspected illnesses.

Teachers, caregivers, and families should report any suspected infection to the designated staff member (health staff, school nurse, or childcare director)

School or childcare staff:

• Any staff notified of a suspected illness should inform the designated staff member as soon as possible.
• The designated staff member, in coordination with the registered school nurse, should report the suspected illness to us using this form. 
  • Please note: COVID-19 is a reportable condition. If you are notified that a student has novel coronavirus, contact us as soon as possible. This is allowed under FERPA.

Next Training

Monday, April 5, 1:30-2:30

Topic: Health Tech/ School Nurse Training

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91538679930

Meeting Recordings:

Coronaviruses do not survive well on environmental surfaces but performing routine cleaning and disinfection of surfaces can help reduce any potential risk and reduce the risk of other respiratory illnesses that may be circulating such as the common cold and influenza.

• Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handrails) with cleaners you would typically use according to the directions on the product label.
• Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (e.g., keyboards, desks, and remote controls) can be wiped down by students and staff before each use.

• Include strategies for sharing information with staff, students, and their families.
• Include information about steps being taken by the school or childcare facility to prepare, and how additional information will be shared.  
• Direct parents and families to our website and social media channels for the most current and reliable information about COVID-19.

We can help you with communications to your school or childcare community. Please complete this form to ask us a question or request communications support.

When a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the school alerts LCDHE by filling out the New reporting tool for positive student or staff in a school. This launches an assessment jointly conducted by LCDHE and the school. We follow CDPHE’s guidance for who is a close contact at school or school related events (sports practices, after school tutoring, etc.). 

Once this assessment is completed, LCDHE sends quarantine orders to all students or staff exposed. These orders are personalized to each individual based on the last day they were exposed to COVID-19, which is why some students or staff exposed in the same classroom may have different dates on their orders.

Limited spectators will be allowed for school sports at this time

Home team - Two spectators for each athlete (Girls and Boys Basketball & wrestling) 12 players for basketball and 14 for wrestling.

 Visiting Team – One spectator for each athlete - 12 tickets for visiting basketball parents and 14 for wrestling parents if needed.

This plan is for large gyms only. No spectators in auxiliary/small gyms.

Seating:

• Schools must have a way to assign seats to tickets holders (similar to the way graduation was handled in Larimer County)
• Home team will have a gate list of approved parents, gather the parent contact information, and be given assigned seats by the athletic office before the event. 
• No one can arrive earlier than 15 minutes before the event. 
• Must have assigned seat and a way to track who sat where. 
• Asked to stay seated unless use of restroom is needed. 

The home team must coordinate with the visiting team the same process for the visiting team parents. Assigned seats but visiting team must keep contact information. 

All parents must leave immediately at the conclusion of the game.

Home and visiting spectators should be assigned seats opposite of the players benches and score table. Keep visiting parents socially distanced in one area of the bleachers while placing seat assignments for home parents in an area distanced from the visitor section.

If possible 4-6 rows of bleachers should be pulled out so players waiting to play or having already played can socially distance in the bleachers.

12 cheerleaders may cheer on the floor. No visiting cheerleaders. No pep bands. No spectators for cheerleaders at this time. 

Masks must be always worn appropriately, and they must cover the mouth and nose.

This same plan will be used for wrestling duals. Tri and quad wrestling events will not be allowed to host spectators.

No concessions or outside food will be allowed in the gyms.

Based on CHSAA guidelines, spectators will be expected to leave the venue following each contest. Seated areas and the bench areas will be disinfected and sanitized before the next group of parents can enter the gymnasium. Schools may determine whether to allow spectators at lower level games or just limit to varsity games only.

Home team is expected to have contact tracing information for all home team participants, coaches, and spectators. This will need to be submitted after each event as well as a spectator attendance sheet.

The visiting team must be able to provide contact tracing information for visiting players, coaches and spectators if needed.

Spectator attendence submission (Required for each event)

Roster submission (Required for each event)

Plan submission for spectator approval (One time submission per school required)