Confirmed COVID-19 Case Requirements

  • Instructional programs must be prepared for COVID-19 outbreaks in their local communities and for individual exposure events to occur in their facilities, regardless of the level of community transmission. Nassau BOCES has adapted the CDC's decision tree to help schools determine which set of mitigation strategies may be most appropriate for their current situation. 

    Decision Tree: What To Do If A Student Becomes Sick Or Reports A New COVID-19 Diagnosis At School

    This decision tree was adapted by Nassau BOCES from the CDC's COVID-19 Diagnosis at School guidance. Download the Decision Tree: What To Do If A Student Becomes Sick Or Reports A New COVID-19 Diagnosis At School ⭳.

    CDC and NYSDOH Recommendations:

    • Closing off areas used by a sick person and not using these areas until after cleaning and disinfection has occurred
    • Opening outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area
    • Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, such as offices, classrooms, bathrooms, lockers, and common areas.
      • Once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected it can be reopened for use.
      • Individuals without contact with the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 can return to the area and resume school activities immediately after cleaning and disinfection.
    • If more than 7 days have passed since the person who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 visited or used the facility, additional cleaning or disinfection is not necessary, but routine cleaning and disinfection should continue.

    Return to School After Illness:

    Schools must follow CDC guidance for allowing a student or staff member to return to school after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. If a person is not diagnosed by a healthcare provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) with COVID-19 they can return to school:

    • Once there is no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines, and they have felt well for 24 hours;
    • If they have been diagnosed with another condition and have a healthcare provider written note stating that they are clear to return to school.

    If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider based on a test or their symptoms or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school and should stay at home until:

    • It has been at least 10 days since the individual first had symptoms
    • It has been at least three days since the individual has had a fever (without using fever reduc­ing medicine) and
    • It has been at least three days since the individual’s symptoms improved, including cough and shortness of breath.

    Individuals that are isolating may return to the building 5 days out from the start of the symptoms, being fever-free for 24 hours, and symptoms have improved. (See CDC chart above).
Last Modified on August 24, 2022