Responding to COVID-19 Cases or Symptoms
Posted: | Updated:
Summary: SPS will continue to monitor COVID-19 rates in our schools and will be ready to adjust if necessary.
Seattle Public Schools COVID-19 Response Updates
Department of Health Symptoms and Exposure Chart
We encourage you to review the new DOH What to do if a Person is Symptomatic flow chartfor more information.
This DOH flowchart ‘What to do if a Person is Symptomatic’ is available in additional languages.
If You Test Positive for COVID-19
Stay home for a minimum of 5 days and until your symptoms have significantly improved.
Notify your school .
Seattle Public Schools Layers of Mitigation
Masking and quarantine protocols have changed, but other layers of protection remain in place including:
- Vaccines: Vaccine and booster access
- Symptoms: Students, staff, and visitors must stay home when they have symptoms of COVID
- School Health Care Rooms: Protected health care rooms
- COVID Testing: COVID-19 testing opportunities
- Masks: Masks for students and staff, who want to continue masking
- Air Quality: Increased air ventilation (HVAC) and air quality testing
Masking Updates: Masks are now optional in most indoor and outdoor Seattle Public Schools spaces including on yellow school buses. It is because of our collective efforts that we are now at this community turning point. This was a big change, and we recognize the emotion that is involved. We thank you for being patient and for respecting the masking choices of others.
COVID-19 Exposure Updates: Another important change to be aware of is per the Department of Health (DOH), students and staff who have been exposed to someone confirmed with COVID-19 status, but should continue to monitor for symptoms. Anyone with COVID symptoms must stay home. Testing will continue to be offered at your student’s school.
Exposure notification: To be aligned with revised DOH guidance, only high-risk individuals will be directly notified of potential exposure. All other students and staff will receive a general notification. Read more about SPS exposure notification.
Individuals including children with obesity, diabetes, asthma, or who are immunocompromised can be at increased risk of getting sick from COVID-19. Visit CDC to learn more about medical conditions that increase the risk of COVID-19 severity.
We are pleased that COVID-19 cases continue to fall in SPS schools and remain optimistic. However, there may be times when we will need to bring back effective mitigations, including required universal masking, if there is an increase of COVID-19 in a classroom or school wide. SPS will continue to monitor COVID-19 rates in our schools and will be ready to adjust if necessary.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our school community and our students.
Resources
Tips for Families: Helping Kids Adjust to Changing COVID-19 Guidelines
COVID-19 Health Safety
Visit the district COVID-19 Health Safety webpage for the latest in-person/remote learning updates, information, and FAQs.
Learn more on the COVID health safety resource page
