January 2022 Covid Update
We hope everyone had a great holiday season!
Unfortunately during the season, COVID-19 has not taken a break. With the Omicron variant, the spread has significantly increased. Most early childhood programs serve children in an age group that is not yet eligible for vaccinations.
Attached is the latest guidance from OPH for child care facilities:
Some highlights include the following:
*The CDC has issued revised isolation and quarantine guidance. However, OPH is recommending that younger children still follow a 10 day isolation and quarantine period because correct and consistent masking is difficult to maintain in this population.
| If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate) | |
| Everyone, regardless of vaccination status. |
Stay home for 5 days. • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house. • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves |
| If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine) | |
|
If you: Have been boosted OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months |
• Wear a mask around others for 10 days. • Test on day 5, if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. |
|
If you: Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR Are unvaccinated |
• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. • If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days. • Test on day 5 if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. |
Educate yourself on Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Children, adolescents, or young adults who develop certain symptoms after having COVID-19 might have MIS-C. They should see a doctor if they had COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who had COVID-19, within the past 6 weeks and now have the following.
Ongoing fever AND one of the following:
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Skin rash
- Blood shot eyes
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
MASK REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- While outdoors, individuals do not need to mask if they adhere to physical distancing requirements.
- It is strongly recommended that any child over two years of age wear a mask.