COVID-19 Info for Schools and Child Care

GENERAL GUIDANCE

• Guidance to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in K-12 Schools and Child Cares (wa.gov)
• Symptom Comparison Chart (Influenza, Norovirus, RSV, Cold, and COVID-19)

REPORTING COVID-19 CASES

All COVID-19 outbreaks and suspected outbreaks in schools and child care settings are required to be reported to the local health jurisdiction (WAC 246-101).

Department of Health guidance requires schools to notify The Snohomish Health Department if:

• they suspect COVID is spreading in their cohort or 
• there are FIVE or more confirmed or suspected cases among a cohort in a 7-day period OR 
• multiple COVID-19 cases from positive tests comprising at least 20% of a cohort (students, teachers, or staff within a specified core group) within a 7-day period.

We ask facilities to report COVID-19 outbreaks/suspected outbreaks by using the COVID-19 Facility Outbreak Notification System that was developed by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) for non-health care settings. Please use this link COVID-19 Facility Outbreak Notification System FONT (clicking on the link will direct you to the reporting page). Fill out the form to register.

Once the data is inputted, click “next page”. On the last page, you will see a section that says, "Upload file". We ask that you upload the Case/Outbreak Reporting Spreadsheet (click link to download correct spreadsheet and COMPLETE FULLY).  PLEASE DO NOT use the spreadsheet in FONT.  

If you have questions about reporting COVID-19 cases or the link is not working, please email us at SHD.Schools@snoco.org or call 425-339-5278 to request a call back. We are more than happy to help assist in any way we can.  

Letter and Notification Templates

Fall 2023 COVID Prevention Reminders Letter from Dr. Lewis

Classroom Closure Letter Template

Facility Closure Letter Template

General Parent/Guardian Notification Letter Template

COVID Exposure Notification Text or Robocall Script Template (added September 24, 2021)

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

• COVID-19 Symptom Decision Trees for Schools (DOH) 
• Supplemental Considerations to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools (DOH)
• COVID-19 Vaccines: Pediatric Vaccine Toolkit for Schools (PowerPoint download) (added November 4, 2021)

General Guidance

• Guidance to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in K-12 Schools and Child Cares
  • Snohomish County Health Department Health Alerts for Child Care Providers 
  • Child Care Health Outreach Monthly Newsletter

Reporting COVID-19 Cases

Child cares are still being asked to report ALL individual cases as well as OUTBREAKS AND SUSPECTED OUTBREAKS to the Snohomish County Health Department (WAC 246-101).

Department of Health guidance requires child cares to notify the Snohomish Health Department if:

• they suspect COVID is spreading in their cohort or
• there are FIVE or more confirmed or suspected cases among a cohort in a 7-day period OR
• multiple COVID-19 cases from positive tests comprising at least 20% of a cohort (students, teachers, or staff within a specified core group).

FOR CAMPS AND YOUTH SPORTS WITH CHILDREN 13 YEARS AND OLDER

Please notify the Snohomish Health Department if:

• they suspect COVID is spreading in their cohort or
• there are FIVE or more confirmed or suspected cases among a cohort in a 7-day period

We ask facilities to report COVID-19 outbreaks/ suspected outbreaks by using the COVID-19 Facility Outbreak Notification System that was developed by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) for non-health care settings.

Please use this link COVID-19 Facility Outbreak Notification System FONT (clicking on the link will direct you to the reporting page). Fill out the form to register.

Once the data is inputted, click “next page”. On the last page, you will see a section that says, "Upload file". We ask that you upload the Case/Outbreak Reporting Spreadsheet (click link to download correct spreadsheet and COMPLETE FULLY). PLEASE DO NOT use the spreadsheet in FONT.

If you have questions about reporting COVID-19 cases or the link is not working, please email us at SHD.childcarehealth@snoco.org. or call 425-339-5278 to request a call back. We are more than happy to help assist in any way we can.

Additional Guidance

• COVID-19 Symptom Decision Tree 
• COVID-19 Data Dashboard | Washington State Department of Health
• COVID-19 Resources and Recommendations (DOH)
• Department of Children Youth and Families
  
• Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning (CDC)

COVID-19 VACCINATION 

Community-wide vaccination against COVID-19 helps keep children, staff, and families healthy. Please see resources below.

RESOURCES AND MATERIALS FOR STAFF AND FAMILIES

• COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Access in Snohomish County
• COVID-19 Vaccines: Common Worries and Facts (DOH)
• Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines: What Parents/Guardians Should Know (DOH) 
• Vaccinating Youth (DOH)

Hygiene and cleaning

• Bleach Disinfectant Spray Bottle Labels and Guidance for COVID-19
  
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC)
• Safely Cleaning and Disinfecting for Public Spaces (DOH)
• Classroom Cleaning Tips for Teachers (DOH)
• Safer Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Strategies to Reduce and Prevent COVID-19 Transmission (UW)

Additional Resources

• 10 Things You Can Do Now to Help Students Prepare to Return to School (Northwest Educational Service District)
  • 10 Cosas Que Puede Hacer Ahora (Spanish)
• Help Stop the Spread of Illness Poster
• COVID Child Care Checklist

GENERAL GUIDANCE

Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools, Child Care, Early Learning, Youth Development, and Day Camp Programs

REPORTING COVID-19 CASES

Department of Health guidance requires overnight and day camps to notify The Snohomish Health Department if:

• they suspect COVID is spreading in their cohort or
• there are FIVE or more confirmed or suspected cases among a cohort in a 7-day period OR
• multiple COVID-19 cases from positive tests comprising at least 20% of a cohort (students, teachers, or staff within a specified core group) within a 7-day period.

FOR ALL YOUTH SPORTS AND CAMPS WITH CHILDREN 13 YEARS AND OLDER

Please notify The Snohomish Health Department if:

• they suspect COVID is spreading in their cohort or
• there are FIVE or more confirmed or suspected cases among a cohort in a 7-day period

We ask facilities to report COVID-19 outbreaks/suspected outbreaks by using the COVID-19 Facility Outbreak Notification System that was developed by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) for non-health care settings. Please use this link COVID-19 Facility Outbreak Notification System FONT (clicking on the link will direct you to the reporting page). Fill out the form to register.

Once the data is inputted, click “next page”. On the last page, you will see a section that says, "upload file". We ask that you upload the Case/Outbreak Reporting Spreadsheet (click link to download correct spreadsheet and COMPLETE FULLY). PLEASE DO NOT use the spreadsheet in FONT.  

If you have questions about reporting COVID-19 cases or the link is not working, please email us at SHD.Schools@snoco.org or call 425-339-5278 to request a call back. We are more than happy to help assist in any way we can.  

TESTING RESOURCES

To request free COVID-19 tests from the Snohomish Health Department, contact SHD.Schools@snoco.org

DOH is offering at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for summer camps and extracurricular groups that serve PreK-12 age children and youth during the summer months. These programs can be educational or recreational, such as club sports, outdoor education centers, etc. 

• See Guide on COVID-19 Tests for Camps and Extracurricular Organizations for information on ordering, what testing supplies are available, and more.
• Use COVID-19 Tests for Summer Camps one-pager for reference or for distribution to your networks. 

Questions for DOH Testing resources reach out to schools@healthcommonsproject.org.

To Order Tests From DOH Click Here 

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

COVID-19 Resources and Recommendations (DOH)

COVID-19 Symptom Decision Tree

COVID-19 Data Dashboard | Washington State Department of Health

LETTER AND NOTIFICATION TEMPLATES

General Parent/Guardian Notification Letter Template