If a student’s symptoms are diagnosed as a chronic condition with unchanged symptoms, or a laboratory confirmed acute illness (for example: laboratory confirmed influenza, strep throat etc.) AND COVID-19 is not suspected they can return to school if:

• They have been fever-free, without using fever-reducing medicines, and they have felt well for 24 hours.
• They have a healthcare provider written note stating they have been diagnosed with a chronic condition.
• They have a healthcare provider note explaining laboratory confirmed alternate diagnosis and are cleared to return to school.

If a student HAS BEEN evaluated for COVID-19 or MIS-C by a health care provider based on a COVID-19 or MIS-C symptoms, or has any COVID-19 or MIS-C symptoms that have not been diagnosed by a health care provider as a chronic condition, they should not be at school and should:

• Isolate at home for 5 days, where day 0 is the day of symptom onset or if asymptomatic, the day of collection of the first positive specimen.
• At the end of 5 days, if asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends, and the individual may return to school wearing a well-fitting mask.
• They are at least fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications.
• Note: individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow standard 10-day isolation guidance (not shortened)
• Have parents fill out this form for their child to return to school. Affirmation of Isolation (ny.gov)

It is recommended that those exposed to COVID-19 wear a well-fitting mask or respirator for a full 10-day period and get tested at least 5 days after close contact or sooner if symptoms develop. The current guidance holds for all individuals irrespective of vaccination status or history of prior COVID-19 infection.