COVID-19 Response

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness. It is caused by a new virus. We are learning new things about this virus every day because it is new. The Minnesota Department of Health has been working with partners to slow the spread of COVID-19, but everyone in the state has a part to play to make this happen.

Anyone of any age can get the disease. Some people may get sicker than others. People who are sick with COVID-19 can give it to others, even sometimes when they do not feel sick. Viruses don’t discriminate, so avoid assumptions about who you think may be sick.

Symptoms

Some people who have COVID-19 infection have felt only a little sick. Others got very sick. Some symptoms are:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell

Less often, people may get a stomachache, throw up, or have diarrhea.

The most significant things you can do to protect yourself and your family: 

• Stay home if you are feeling ill, have a fever of 100 degrees or more, or are exhibiting flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. 
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover a cough. Cough or sneeze into an elbow or use a tissue and place immediately in the trash.
• Practice "social distancing" by staying at least 6 feet away from people when out in public.

Learn more on the Minnesota Department of Health's website.

The District encourages students, staff members and volunteers to continue the following measures to avoid contracting the Coronavirus and avoiding the spread of it if they unknowingly have it:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for a minute each time
• Covering their coughs by coughing into their arm—not hands
• Staying home when sick
• Avoiding touching their face with unwashed hands
• Hand-shakes and touching of each other should be discouraged
• Touching uncleaned objects (like door handles and faucet handles) with clean hands should become an issue of awareness

The Minnesota Department of Health has prepared a decision tree for people in schools, youth, and child care programs.  Click the link below to view the decision tree and follow the appropriate path if a child, student, or staff person is experiencing the following symptoms consistent with COVID-19:

More common:

• fever greater than or equal to 100.4
• new onset and/or worsening cough
• difficulty breathing
• new loss of taste or smell

Less common:

• sore throat
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• chills
• muscle pain
• excessive fatigue
• new onset of severe headache
• new onset of nasal congestion or runny nose

MDH COVID-19 Decision Tree 

Each situation will vary. The Minnesota Department of Health will work with the school district to determine whether any students were in close contact* with the teacher or staff member who tested positive. If so, families would be informed by MDH that their students should quarantine for 14 days. 

The Minnesota Department of Health's website states that people who have symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested. Families may get recommendations from MDH for testing if their student was in close contact with someone who tested positive and their student is now showing symptoms, but testing has not been mandated to this point.  Any costs for the testing of students will be incurred by families.

At this time, testing would not take place at schools for a variety of reasons (testing fidelity, supplies, staffing); however, MDH does maintain a live link to locations of test sites. 

HIPAA guidelines prohibit school districts from identifying who the student/staff member is who has tested positive. If there is a case of COVID-19 identified, MDH will work with the school district to be as clear as possible about the risk level of those who have come into contact with the person who tested positive and what is recommended for next steps. 

• All persons riding or driving a school transportation vehicle must wear a face covering.
• Each vehicle will have face coverings available for riders and drivers.
• Seating will be arranged to maintain 6 feet of distance between the driver and all riders, when feasible.
• Vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected regularly between routes with heavy focus on frequently touched surfaces.
• Doors and windows on the vehicle will be open when cleaning the vehicle and between trips when possible to let the vehicles thoroughly air out.
• If a rider or driver is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has been exposed to someone positive for COVID-19, they must stay home and not board the bus.
• If a student or driver becomes ill during the school day:
  • The student will not be allowed to board a school vehicle to return home. The District will contact families to arrange transportation home.
  • The driver will follow protocols outlined for people who are ill and will not be allowed to board a school vehicle.