-
As a reminder to reach out to your Healthcare providers if your child has missed routine preventive care or follow-up appointments during the COVID-19 public health emergency, ensuring students receive doses of recommended/required immunizations and physicals they may have otherwise missed.
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources
CDC - Coronavirus/COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
NY Department of Health - What you need to know.
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
NYS Department of Health - Protect Yourself and Your Family
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/protect-yourself-and-your-family-coronavirus-covid-19#symptomsUnderstanding the Difference Between COVID-19, Allergies & Flu (Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network)
https://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19_3-19.pdf
https://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Final-Spanish.pdfInformation about Type 1 Diabetes and Coronavirus: https://www.jdrf.org/coronavirus/
OMH Guidance for Managing Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19
https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/guidance/covid-19-managing-stress-anxiety.pdf
Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Guidance and Resources
A new coronavirus called 2019 Novel (new) Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first found in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This virus had not been found in humans before. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and trouble breathing or shortness of breath. There are thousands of diagnosed cases in China and new cases being diagnosed in a number of countries including the United States.
What do we know?
Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working hard to learn as much as possible about this new virus, so that we can better understand how it spreads and causes illness. The CDC considers this virus to be a serious public health concern. Based on current information the CDC recommends avoiding travel to China. Updated travel information related to 2019-nCoV can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china
How Does 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus Spread?
Health experts believe the virus probably spreads from animals to humans and from person to person. It’s not clear yet how easily the virus spreads from person-to-person. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) is not currently a concern for the general public and is not actively circulating among New Yorkers at this time. Therefore, there is no need to cancel school or social events, and there is no need for students or school staff to wear surgical masks at school.
Prevention
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this virus. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recommends the following ways to minimize the spread of all respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- CDC recommends that travelers avoid all travel to China.
Symptoms
Information to date suggests that 2019-nCoV causes mild-to-moderate illness and symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose and difficulty breathing.
Do individuals coming back from vacation from states on Governor Cuomo's travel advisory need to quarantine?
Yes, individuals who are coming to New York from any of the states on the travel advisory need to quarantine for 14 days. The most up to date list of states is available here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory
This is an emerging, rapidly changing situation. For questions please contact your local department of health or the NYS DOH Novel Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
We encourage you to keep up to date about 2019-nCoV, its treatment and prevention by visiting the following websites:
Additional ResourcesNASP Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
CDC’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.cdc.gov/nCoV
NYSDOH’s dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
NYSDOH directory of local health departments https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/
The NYS Department of Health would like you to know that information regarding influenza and the benefits of influenza immunizations is free and accessible on their website http://www.nyhealth.gov.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu shot.What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms:- Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
* It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Children may not return to school unless:
- They are fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT medication for fever
- They have not vomited for 24 hours
- A note from your healthcare provider
During school, if your child is ill and/or found to have flu like symptoms, parents/guardians will be called to pick up student. Please have updated contact numbers on file. Emergency contacts should be local and available to pick up students promptly. When parents call to report an absence, please identify the illness your child is experiencing including symptoms. Absences should be called in daily by parent/guardian.
Below are links to websites and guides containing information about the flu and flu shot:
NYS Department of Health - Fight the Flu at Home and School
NYS Department of Health Seasonal Flu Guide
CDC Everyday Prevention Guide
NYS Department of Health Flu Fact Sheet
NYS Influenza (Flu) Fact Sheet