ocdel quarantine guidelines

well-fitting mask around others at home where possible. ECE facilities should follow the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) protocols where applicable, including reporting requirements. The following is intended as a plain-language summary of rules during the COVID-19 emergency and does not replace the need to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Bureau of Certification Services is responsible for the regulation of all child care centers, group day care homes and family day care homes in Pennsylvania. Steps for Determining Close Contact and Quarantine in K-12 Schools is an additional helpful tool that may be used to determine close contacts in schools. All other programs must report to the PA Department of Health, 1-877- compliance with the Order. PDF Announcement C-21-04 - the Pennsylvania Key of Labor and Industry, the Department of accurate information. PELICAN Data Reporting CERTIFICATION SERVICES NEWS THE PENNSYLVANIA KEY (pakeys.org). Both are free for download. How long does a person with COVID-19 need to isolate? Ensure facility has updated contact information (including date of birth, phone number, home address, grade level, and cohort) for all staff and families to facilitate contact tracing and rapid communication. We strongly recommend flexibility and accommodations for staff who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as those 65 years and older and those with weakened immune systems. with applicable Federal and State laws and All COVID-19 cases (student or staff) must be reported to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. COVID-19 Guidance and Prevention for Individuals and the Community Face masks help to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. To assist child care providers with continued compliance with these requirements, OCDEL has To request test kits and supplies, email [email protected]. Make sure you have all the vaccines you are eligible for atCDCs vaccines schedule at-a-glance (PDF). ed location and able to maintain a physical distance of six Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine for K-12 Schools, Responding to COVID-19 Cases in K-12 Schools: Resources for School Administrators, Professional Standards and Practices Commission, Report positive cases of COVID-19 to DOH for case investigation, contact tracing, and issuance of quarantine and/or isolation orders; and. If the person with COVID-19 cannot fully isolate, the household contacts who are either unvaccinated or have not received all the recommended doses should quarantine for an additional 5 days AFTER the person with COVID-19 is released from isolation. For instance, when possible, move a classroom outdoors or to a larger space such as a The Health Department strongly recommends universal masking in all indoor public settings including schools and early childhood education settings at a medium or high transmission level in the community. All close contacts of a cases exposed cohort (class, grade, team etc.) with local health departments must report to their respective local health department It emphasizes layered preventative measures for spread of COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases, such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus, to support safe and healthy learning environments for all. Although the "close contact" definition is generally 15 consecutive minutes, there are circumstances where 15 cumulative minutes, or less than 15 minutes, may be used. Staff should screen themselves daily. when transmission levels are medium or high in the community and masks are recommended. Once isolation has finished, and if they are able to mask, individuals must wear a high-quality (N95 or KN95) mask in school through day 10. The address of the facility including the county; Identify if the positive case or cases are a facility person, child, family member, or Sign up for one or more newsletters available from OCDEL and/or Pennsylvanias Promise for Children. OCDEL COVID19 Provider Resources - Department of Human Services The CDC continues to supportimplementation of diagnostic COVID-19 testing programsin schools and supports and encourages program participation among parents and staff regardless of community transmission level or vaccination status. with the Order on or before that date. Read more aboutstaying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Staff should practice hand hygiene before and after preparing food and drinks and before and after any medication administration. Sunset: Aug. 31, 2021, Announcement C-20-09: Emergency Temporary Relocation of Facility due to theGovernor Issuing a Declaration of Disaster Specific to NovelCoronavirus (COVID-19) The CDC continues to support implementation of diagnostic COVID-19 testing programs in schools and supports and encourages program participation among parents and staff regardless of community transmission level or vaccination status. COVID19 PROVIDER RESOURCES - Department of Human Services Promoting Inclusion & Reducing Expulsion and Suspension As much as possible, hold performances, practices, and lessons outdoors. If they need to be picked up, they must wait in the designated isolation room or area while waiting and must wear a high quality (N95, KN95, or KF94) mask. symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate and be evaluated for COVID-19 by a health care provider. Key Terms | For additional resources on COVID-19 developed for early learning programs in In order to best meet our community's diverse needs, we have created a set of baseline or minimum recommendations based on guidelines from the Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pennsylvania Department of Education that serve as best practices within the school setting for mitigating the risk of Although universal case investigation and contact tracing are no longer recommended by the CDC, continued attention to ventilation, handwashing, and having people who are sick isolate at home (see Isolation section below) remain crucial to prevent transmission. Schools within a CMHD jurisdiction should work with their local health department when responding to cases of COVID-19 in a school setting. Department of Health (DOH) Early ChildhoodEducation COVID-19 Reporting Options February 3, 2022, Addition of COVID-19 to List of Reportable Communicable Diseases December 20, 2021, Special Announcement on Masking Guidance: A Message fromActing Secretary Meg Snead December 10, 2021, Accouncement C-21-10:Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early LearningBureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau ofCertification December 10, 2021, Announcement C-21-09: Reinstating and Extension of Child Care Certification Regulation Suspensions Due at Act 73 December 7, 2021;Sunset: October31, 2022, Announcement C-21-08: Compliance with Acting Secretary of Health's Face Covering OrderObsolete:December 10, 2021, AnnouncementC-21-07: COVID-19 Policy Updates provided a COVID-19 Certification Requirements: OCDEL Guidance Chart (See Appendix A). This includes learning when the case was infectious and identifying the people and places they were around while infectious. Individuals may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others. PDF Guidance for Child Care Providers Caring for Children of Essential As the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia evolves, there may be additional changes to the guidance, so please connect to the COVID-19 texts (text COVIDPHL to 888-777) to have the most up-to-date information. of in-person interaction. In an effort to extend the scope of schools mitigation measures, the Health Department can aid by providing over-the-counter tests to your school. Other browsers are not recommended. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has releasedupdated information for COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs, as of Jan. 28, 2022, which include updated guidance to reflect new quarantine andisolation guidance and recommendations, specifying the circumstances when isolation and quarantine periods can be shortened, and updated guidance regarding staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. To stay up-to-date,subscribe to the PA Early Ed News. Facilities who do not have access to the COVID Data these are now located in the PD Registry. masks, many entities are not following the CDCs recommendations. The Health Department strongly recommends universal masking in all indoor public settings including schools andearly childhood education settingsat a medium or high transmission level in the community. Encourage staff and parents to talk to their own and their childrens physicians about their individual risk factors for COVID-19 and the risks of working at or attending school. Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Optimizing ventilation provided by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by: Having the HVAC system checked to assure that it is working properly. If possible, use screens or curtains to create a barrier between individuals who are ill and in the nurses office. As we enter the third year of the pandemic and begin a new school year, we have drawn on lessons learned and input from schools and communities to create a framework that helps children continue in-person learning. the safe return of children to school, early learning settings and child care, on Aug. 30, 2021, the When the individual is under two (2) years of age. Issued: August 31, 2021; Effective: September 7, 2021; Sunset: December 10, 2021. distancing and increased ventilation, become even more essential to protect students, teachers, and Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. For more information, visit theCDCs monkeypox pageandthe latest on monkeypox in Philadelphia. School entities should comply MAIN PHONE: 1-844-569-7253 (toll free) In all instances when reporting to DHS, provide: The CDC COVID resource pages are recommended as the primary source of up-to-date and Schools and ECEs should take advantage of all ventilation strategies available to them especially when transmission in the community is high or there is an outbreak in the school. New CDC quarantine guidelines for COVID exposure | khou.com Collection Tool will inform their DHS certification rep to ensure the information is entered into the Persons who meet the following criteria do NOT need to quarantine: How long does a close contact need to quarantine? isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19, implementation of diagnostic COVID-19 testing programs. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Keystone State. programs are required to report positive COVID-19 cases utilizing the DHS Licensed Facility COVID COVID-19 continues to impact Pennsylvania, including a new variant, B.1.617.2 (Delta). FAX: 717-213-0585 COVID-19 - Pennsylvania Child Care Association communication. should mask to stay in school, ideally with rapid or molecular testing* within 48 hours and again on or after day 5. ocdel covid quarantine guidelines. Anyone with symptoms who has not yet received their test result yet should also stay at home. PD REGISTRY PHONE: 1-800-284-6031 Only government entities in the U.S. can end in .gov, It looks like your device language is set to, Diversity, inclusion, accessibility & immigration, Resources for schools and early childhood education. People who are quarantining should stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days after the last contact with a person who has COVID-19 and wear a In order to best meet our communitys diverse needs, we have created a set of baseline or minimum recommendations based on guidelines from the Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pennsylvania Department of Education that serve as best practices within the school setting for mitigating the risk of COVID-19 for students and staff. For more information on staying home when sick with COVID-19, including recommendations for isolation and mask use for people who test positive or who are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, see isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19. There are many opportunities forvaccination in Philadelphia. Schools guidance (K-12) | Programs and initiatives Further, research Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation. If test results are negative, they must continue to mask for full 10-day period. The Department will consult with you on management issues for your facility. Because these children cannot mask, they will need to be tested. Schools and ECE programs should teach and reinforce covering coughs and sneezes to help keep individuals from getting and spreading infectious diseases, including COVID-19. 5% of students/staff confirmed cases in a 14-day window: Small school (<500 staff & students): 25 case threshold, Medium school (500-900 staff & students): 25-45 case threshold, Large school (900+ staff & students): 45+ case threshold. In order to best meet our communitys diverse needs, we have created a set of baseline or minimum recommendations based on guidelines from the Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pennsylvania Department of Education that serve as best practices within the school setting for mitigating the risk of COVID-19 for students and staff. Individuals who have been exposed and are able to mask no longer need to quarantine but are required to mask for 10 days following the exposure. Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC) PDF Purpose Background Discussion - the Pennsylvania Key Optimizing ventilation provided by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by: Having the HVAC system checked to assure that it is working properly. For those who wear a single mask, a surgical mask is preferred instead of a cloth mask alone. these are now located in the PD Registry. The Certification Bureau receives inquiries regarding a variety of topics, including: The requirements and process for opening a child care facility. If your school is not receiving daily REDCap surveys, please call (215) 685-5488 OR email. Staff should practice hand hygiene before and after preparing food and drinks and before and after any medication administration. Resources on Covid-19 in Pa for Ece Programs & Professionals If using the nurses office, this area should be at least six feet apart from where other children or staff use the nurses office. Encouraging the wider school community to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Implement plans to comply with the Acting Secretary of Healths Order on or before Schools do not need, and should not require, a quarantine order to take this action to protect the health and safety of students and staff. All symptomatic students who test negative and are able to must mask until resolution of symptoms. regulations may relate to the operation of a We are committed to developing and maintaining collaborative relationships that are valued with open minds and appreciation for growth. People who are at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19 who test positive should consult with a healthcare provider right away for possible treatment, even if their symptoms are mild. To find early childhood education (ECE) job opportunities, visit the Job Search page. Promoting Inclusion & Reducing Expulsion and Suspension *Testing is recommended but not required. This is the best way to stop outbreaks before they start. Any individual, regardless of vaccination status, who experiences As with any infectious disease in the ECE setting, individuals who are sick should stay home when they are not feeling well or if they have tested positive for COVID-19. CDC Guidance and Information - Pennsylvania Department of Education on the effectiveness of mask wearing, including citations and published research, can be found on Screening testing can also be considered for unique events such as prom, return from break, or an outbreak. Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) Provider Self Service Were always working to improve phila.gov. If wearing a face covering while working would create an unsafe condition in which to operate See early childhood education (ECE) guidance. Sunset: Sept. 30, 2021, ELRC 20-#14:Keystone STARS Designation Process for FY 2020-2021 September 1, 2020, ELRC 20-#13:Updates to the Child Care Works School-Age Blended Rate Payment Policy for the 2020-21 School Year one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition or a Individual cases who cannot mask because they are under 2 years old or for medical reasons, must isolate for 10 days. To get the most from their education, children need to connect with peers and their surroundings in-person. or not it is known to be of a communicable To support Face masks help to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Pennsyvlania Head Start Association (PHSA). disability. More information (See definition of "isolation" below.) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. when transmission levels are medium or high in the community and masks are recommended. EMAIL: [email protected]. Sunset: Sept. 30, 2021, Announcement 20-15:Changes to Policy Regarding Parents/Caretakers Caring for Their Own Children in a Child Care Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic Others have medical conditions that make masking impossible. Incorporate more consistent use of hyperlinks for "reusable elements" (e.g., quarantine period, definition of close contact) that are featured in numerous guidance documents, in order to assure more systematic updating of all guidance that relies on such concepts which themselves are occasionally updated. Athletics: At high community transmission levels, the Health Department strongly recommends that athletes practice outdoors whenever possible and if indoors mask during play. The staff member waiting with the student should wear a N95, KN95, or KF94 mask or should double mask. chart outlines the areas of compliance, legal citation, and regulatory language. To sign up for weekly RECAP updates visit Health, the Department of Education and Anyone who cannot mask can test at regular intervals (every other day) for 10 days. While procedural and surgical masks intended for health care providers and first responders, such as Anyone at high risk for severe illnessshould consider wearing a mask indoors in public and takingadditional precautions. Because these children cannot mask, they will need to be tested. Staff and students diagnosed with COVID-19 must isolate for 5 days and then can return to school, but must wear a high quality (N95, KN95, or KF94) mask consistently during days 6-10 and must eat in a designated area separate from others.