This fall, we are seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses in our schools. Respiratory illnesses like influenza (flu), COVID, RSV and many others are spread when a person coughs, sneezes, talks or laughs. The best way to prevent the spread of infectious respiratory illness is to:
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Stay home when ill. Detailed guidance about when to keep your child home can be found on the Northshore Health Services website.
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Wash hands often with soap and water
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Cover coughs and sneezes
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Avoid close contact with sick individuals
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Get vaccinated for preventable diseases. Due to high demand, the pop-up vaccination clinics for flu and COVID-19 boosters scheduled at Northshore School District high schools may be fully booked. Appointments may open up if someone cancels. If you have an appointment and can no longer make it, please cancel your reservation using the link included in your confirmation email. To learn more, visit the NSD Vaccine Pop Clinic webpage.
Northshore School District continues to follow the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Guidance to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in K-12 Schools and Child Care.
What to do if your child has COVID-like symptoms:
Utilize the Department of Health decision tree for individuals who have COVID-like symptoms. Families can get free tests from the federal government. Every U.S. household can receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered to their home through USPS. COVID.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests
If your child tests positive:
Individuals that test positive for COVID-19 should follow the Washington State Department of Health "What to do if you test positive for COVID-19" guidance. If your child tests positive for COVID-19:
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Report the information to your child’s school nurse
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Keep them home from school for at least 5 days; and
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If possible isolate the infectious individual from others in order to avoid spreading COVID-19.
COVID Outbreaks or Suspected Outbreaks in School and Communication
All COVID-19 outbreaks and suspected outbreaks in schools and childcare settings are required to be reported to the local health jurisdiction (WAC 246-101). The Department of Health defines and determines an outbreak.
If there is a suspected or confirmed outbreak at your school, communication will be sent to the classroom and or school community after consultation with DOH. Districts are no longer required to communicate individual case information to families or staff or update a public dashboard.
If you have questions about our approach to limiting the spread of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, please contact Cindy Mato, Northshore School District’s Health and Nursing Services Supervisor, cmato@nsd.org.