COVID Illness Exclusion

[Unregistered]

I’m trying to prepare for situations that come up regarding illness. Is anyone excluding a child from care due to someone in the family being sick like a parent or sibling?

[Cat Herder]

Yes. We are required to follow CDC guidance.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html

[e.j.]

Another "yes". In my state, we're required to exclude a child under those circumstances.

[Unregistered]

What if a child’s family member has symptoms of illness that aren’t necessarily considered a COVID symptom like nasal congestion, should child be excluded from care? And for how long? I’m thinking I would rather be safe than sorry but wondering how parents will take it if I exclude for everything.

[Baby Beluga]

What if a child’s family member has symptoms of illness that aren’t necessarily considered a COVID symptom like nasal congestion, should child be excluded from care? And for how long? I’m thinking I would rather be safe than sorry but wondering how parents will take it if I exclude for everything.

It is my understanding that congestion is considered a possible covid symptom:

"People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills
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"

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

[Unregistered]

Thank you!

[Unregistered]

How long do you exclude for? I think the cdc said 10 days?

[Reimel61]

For Covid or expected exposure of a family member in the DC child's home I was told by the Health Dept in Maryland that the child's quarantine/isolation period doesn't start until the parents or household member of the child has been cleared from isolation first. Then the child's quarantine begins. Also if a negative test would come back that would release the child to come back to DC. But in general for positive exposure the child could be out for 20 to 28 days if isolation is now 10-14 days the way I understood it. We were also told to always contact our Health Department first and then licensing for guidance.

[Baby Beluga]

For Covid or expected exposure of a family member in the DC child's home I was told by the Health Dept in Maryland that the child's quarantine/isolation period doesn't start until the parents or household member of the child has been cleared from isolation first. Then the child's quarantine begins. Also if a negative test would come back that would release the child to come back to DC. But in general for positive exposure the child could be out for 20 to 28 days if isolation is now 10-14 days the way I understood it. We were also told to always contact our Health Department first and then licensing for guidance.

Yep. This is what the CDC is advising too

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html