Updated Child Care COVID Guidance

The Washington State Department of Health has updated its COVID-19 guidance for child care and early learning facilities. This has been adopted by Snohomish Health District as written and in full.

You can find the updated guidance here:

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/DOH-OSPI-DYCF-SchoolsChildCareGuidance.pdf

Continue to report all cases to Snohomish Health District.

Here are some of the highlights in the updated guidance:

It is important to be up to date on vaccinations and to wear a well-fitting mask. Here is information from the CDC on masks.
Screening upon arrival (page 11) – review the criteria of who should be excluded from the child care facility, which includes those who have symptoms of COVID-19, close contacts who are not up to date on their vaccines, and those who have tested positive recently or been told by public health to isolate or quarantine.
School-age children in modified quarantine (page 12) – if a child’s K-12 school is participating in a Test to Stay program, that child can also continue to attend their child care program as long as they are following the mask and testing guidance.
Isolation – (page 16) and Quarantine – (page 17) – recommendations vary by age group and ability to consistently wear a well-fitting mask. The following chart details the guidance.

Isolation and Quarantine Chart from DOH Guidance

Please note:

A child care can always choose to be more strict than the guidance provided by DOH. This should be clearly communicated to families.
Child care providers may accept PCR or other NAAT tests or rapid antigen tests witnessed by a third party such as a child care staff member. Credible parent/guardian reports of negative at-home test results may be accepted at the child care provider's discretion.

Please contact the Child Care Health Outreach program with questions. You can reach us at 425-252-5415 or by email at childcarehealth@snohd.org. Report cases of COVID-19 to our main call center at 425-339-5278.