What to do When Sick
With illnesses and infections among students at LPES, please keep your child home if they have symptoms. To help prevent the spread of illness, also speak with your child about the importance of washing their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating. It may be helpful to watch a Handwashing Video as a reminder of best practices.
What To Do When Sick
Staff, students, or other persons in the school setting who are exhibiting symptoms of illness, such as COVID-19 or gastrointestinal illness, should stay home until they are well enough to participate in regular activities. Staff, children, or other persons can attend school if their symptoms are consistent with a previously diagnosed health condition (e.g., seasonal allergies) or symptoms have improved enough to where you feel well enough to return to regular activities and any fever has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medication (e.g. acetaminophen, ibuprofen). The When to Get Tested for COVID-19 resource or the B.C. Self-Assessment Tool provides more information on whether you should get a test for COVID-19. If you are unsure or concerned about your symptoms, connect with your health care provider or call 8-1-1.
Staff, children, or other persons in the school setting who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the guidance on the BCCDC website as to how long they should self-isolate. They can return to school when they no longer need to self-isolate as long as symptoms have improved and they are well enough to participate in regular activities. Schools do not require a health care provider note (i.e. a doctor’s note) to confirm the health status of any individual, beyond those required to support medical accommodation as per usual practice.
If a staff member, student, or other person develops symptoms of illness at school and is unable to participate in regular activities, they should be supported to go home until their symptoms have improved. Appropriate infection control precautions should be taken while the person is preparing to leave the school premises, including use of appropriate hand hygiene and cleaning/disinfection of surfaces soiled with bodily fluids. They may use a mask if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Hand hygiene
Rigorous hand washing with plain soap and water or using an effective hand sanitizer reduces the spread of illness. Everyone should practice diligent hand hygiene. To learn about how to perform hand hygiene, please refer to the BCCDC’s hand hygiene poster.
Respiratory Etiquette
Parents and staff can teach and reinforce good respiratory etiquette practices among students, including:
- Cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue. Throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene.
- Refrain from touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Refrain from sharing any food, drinks, or unwashed utensils.
Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings
The decision to wear a mask beyond when it is required by public health is a personal one, based on individual preference. Some students and staff may choose to continue to wear a non-medical mask or face covering throughout the day or for certain activities. The choice of staff and students to choose whether they practice additional personal prevention measures should be respected. Information on non-medical masks is available from BCCDC.