Your child has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fortunately, this virus tends to cause either mild illness or no symptoms at all in most children. However, even without symptoms, it is important to follow isolation guidelines to prevent further spread in our community.
How to Isolate at Home
If your child has symptoms of Covid disease, they should remain at home and as isolated as possible until at least 10 days after the start of symptoms AND 24 hours without a fever. If they do not have symptoms, they should remain in isolation until 10 days after the positive test. During this time, older children should try and stay isolated from the rest of the family and wear a mask when in any area that other family members use.
Anyone that has been closer than 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes WITHOUT a mask should also start isolating. Close contacts need to isolate for 10 days from the last time they had contact with the Covid positive patient. For parents of young children who cannot isolate themselves, that means 10 days from the end of your child’s 10 days of isolation. If it is possible to completely isolate from the positive person, other family members can stop their isolation 10 days after their last contact. Testing will not change the need to isolate for 10 days, however, if family members develop symptoms, they should be tested.
During isolation, your household should limit all non-essential contact. Ideally, this means, have groceries and other necessary items delivered or picked up curbside, siblings should not be attending school or other activities and parents should not be leaving the home for work. You should always seek medical care if there are concerns about your child’s health.
Isolations Guidelines
Use the below framework to help track and determine the need for isolation and when the isolation period can end.
Patient: _________________________________________
1st date of symptoms or date of positive test: ___________
Can end isolation if fever free for 24 hours on ___________
Parents
If able to isolate from child, can end isolation on ______________
If unable to isolate from the child, can end isolation 10 days after the child is able to return to activities (10 days after the child’s start of symptoms and fever free for 24 hours).
Earliest date would be: ___________
Siblings/other family members
If able to isolate from child, can end isolation on ___________
If unable to isolate from the child, follow parent guidelines.
Isolating from tha patient means NO contact. They are staying in a separate part of the house/room for their entire isolation. No one is in the same room without a mask. No one should be in the same room for over 15 minutes, even with a mask on.
Have Questions?
We realize these instructions can be confusing with multiple people in your household, if you have any questions or concerns, call our friendly staff who will be more than happy to help at 970.267.9510.
