Returning to School After Illness

Returning to School After Illness
Posted on 10/27/2020
Returning to School After Illness

Little boy blowing his nose.Parents have so many questions and concerns about understanding the rules related to sending their child to school during a pandemic. Can I send my child to school if they have seasonal allergies?  Do they need a doctor's note to return to school? When can my child go back to school after receiving a negative COVID-19 test?

Thankfully, the Northwestern Health Unit is here to help take the guesswork out of sending your child to school. They have prepared a Back to School Confirmation Form.

You can use the Northwestern Health Unit’s Back to School Confirmation Form for students returning to school following illness when:

  • Your child has a new diagnosis by a doctor or nurse practitioner with a condition like allergies or asthma.
  • A doctor or nurse practitioner has diagnosed your child with a medical reason other than COVID-19, confirming their illness symptoms are not related to COVID-19.
  • Your child had symptoms, was not tested but has self-isolated for at least 10 calendar days from the day they started feeling sick.
  • Your child's symptoms were explainable or normal for them (related to a known cause).
  • Your child had symptoms, was tested and the result was negative (they do not have the virus).

Once a student is no longer showing symptoms that would otherwise require them to stay home from school, they can return to school.  A student can return to school after 10 calendar days from symptom onset if they do not have a fever (without using medication) and symptoms have been improving for 24 hours. A medical note or proof of negative COVID-19 test is not required for returning to school. 

All school and childcare staff, students and parents on behalf of students, and essential visitors must self-screen every day before attending school using Ontario’s COVID-19 School Screening Tool.

Please complete and sign the Back to School Confirmation Form and provide it to your school principal. 

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