116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
What happens when a student is exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19?

Aug. 27, 2020 7:45 am
Here's the protocol for students if they are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19, according to public health officials:
When to stay home
A student should stay home if having:
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Any high risk symptoms, including a new cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or a new loss of taste or smell.
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Two or more symptoms considered low-risk for the coronavirus, including a headache, fatigue, nausea, sore throat, body aches, or vomiting or diarrhea.
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A temperature at 100.4 degrees or higher - even without any other symptoms.
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Been in close contact - within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes - with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Families should call the school and report any COVID-19 symptoms or exposures, as well as their health care provider for guidance and track their symptoms.
When to return to school
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A student who has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus can return to school 14 days after the last exposure if they remain asymptomatic.
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If a student tests negative for COVID-19, they still needs to quarantine for 14 days from the last exposure to a positive case.
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A student who tests positive can return to school when at least 10 days have passed since symptoms began, has had no fever for at least 24 hours and other symptoms have improved.
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If a student has symptoms of COVID-19, no known exposure to the virus and a test result is negative, the student can return to daily activities 24 hours after a fever and other symptoms have improved.
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
A container of hand sanitizer is seen as a part of a kit given out to school nurses at the College Community School District office in Cedar Rapids on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Supervisor for health services Colleen Elliott shows a face shield provided to teachers and staff in the district while speaking to school nurses during a meeting at the College Community School District office in Cedar Rapids on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
School nurse Jennifer Siech asks a question during a meeting for nurses in the district at the College Community School District office in Cedar Rapids on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
College Community School District nurses sit in a meeting covering COVID-19 related protocols in the district office in Cedar Rapids on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
School nurse Kirsten Jordan listens to a meeting covering COVID-19 protocols for nurses at the College Community School District office in Cedar Rapids on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
Supervisor for health services Colleen Elliott holds up a couple samples of signs to be used in schools to enforce COVID-19 protocols and practices at the College Community School District office in Cedar Rapids on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
School nurse Jen Bielefeld asks a question during a meeting going over COVID-19 related safety protocols at the College Community School District office in Cedar Rapids on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)