FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY®

2021-2022 Health & Wellness Protocols

Tuesday, Aug 10, 2021

The purpose of these health and wellness protocols is to outline recommendations regarding mitigation measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our FAU Lab School community. These measures have been identified by health experts as integral to reducing the communication of the virus that causes COVID-19, thus permitting the operations of our community to continue utilizing a conditions-specific approach. These protocols are subject to change, and will be updated and communicated based on the latest available information.

 

COVID-19 - Related Health Protocols

  • Stay Home When Sick 
    • To mitigate the spread of illness, it is recommended that if you are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms below, refrain from going to work or school and contact Nurse Baltzer at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076.
    • If you are home and feeling ill, email the school nurse at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076 and do not report to work or school. Parents report their child’s absence to the attendance manager and employees contact their supervisor.
    • If at school, the student/employee will be isolated in the clinic until they are able to go home.
  • COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
    • Fever or chills
    • cough (new)
    • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • fatigue
    • muscle or body aches
    • headache
    • sore throat
    • new loss of taste or smell
    • congestion or runny nose (new)
    • nausea or vomiting
    • diarrhea
  • Use Good Hand and Surface Hygiene
    • Wipe down frequently touched surfaces before use.
    • Wash/sanitize hands frequently.
    • Cough/sneeze into a tissue.
    • Dispose of used tissues immediately into a trash can and then wash hands. If there are no tissues available, cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands.
    • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth. This can accelerate the spread of infection. 
  • Face Coverings and Physical Distancing 
    • Use of face coverings is highly recommended indoors and while in close proximity to others.
    • When possible, maintain physical distancing.

 

COVID-19 Health Protocols

As recommended by health organizations, protocols may differ based on an individual’s vaccination status. In all cases of COVID-19 exposure, symptoms or COVID-19 test results, an employee or student must contact the school nurse at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076.

EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 OR SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

VACCINATED: Those who are fully vaccinated and come in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will:

  • Contact the school nurse before reporting back to work/school at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076.
  • Continue to report to work/school. There is no need to immediately stay home.
  • Be tested (PCR ONLY) 3-5 days from the day of exposure.
  • Wear a mask while indoors up to 14 days or until test returns negative.

VACCINATED & UNVACCINATED: Those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 will:

  • Contact the school nurse before reporting back to work/school at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076.
  • If not yet tested, test immediately (PCR ONLY) and submit test result to the school nurse at dbaltzer@fau.edu
  • Isolate at home
  • Release from isolation will be confirmed by the school nurse following a negative test and/or completed entire 10 days of isolation with improved symptoms and fever-free for 24 hours

UNVACCINATED: Those who are not fully vaccinated and come in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will:

  • Not come to work/school and contact the school nurse immediately at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076.
  • Quarantine at home
  • Be tested (PCR ONLY) at Day 5 or 6 of quarantine and submit test result to the school nurse at dbaltzer@fau.edu
  • Be released from quarantine at Day 8 following a negative test or Day 11 after completing entire 10 days of quarantine
  • Follow the direction of the school nurse regarding release from quarantine

 

Requirement to Return to School/Work

  • Contact the school nurse before reporting back to work/school at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076.
  • Students or employees experiencing a fever may not return until at least 24 hours have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications).
  • There must be improvement in all symptoms (back to usual health).
  • Situations may warrant a request for a PCR COVID-19 test to return to work. 

 

General Health Protocols

Students should NOT come to school and will ALWAYS be sent home for the following illnesses:

  • Lice/Nits: FAU has a no lice/nit school policy. Any person that has lice/nits MUST be treated prior to returning to school.
    • All condition(s) must be met for the child to return to school: It is REQUIRED that all students be checked by the school nurse OR provide a note from their healthcare provider stating the child is lice/nit-free before returning to school.
  • Pink Eye: Any signs/symptoms such as itching, tearing, redness of the conjunctiva, discharge, or crusting around the eye.
    • All condition(s) must be met for the child to return to school: All signs/symptoms of pink eye have dissipated or you provide a note from your healthcare provider.
  • Constant Cough/Wheezing (including chest pains): Cough requiring nebulizer treatment, you must remain home.  The use of inhalers ARE allowed during the school day.
    • All condition(s) must be met for the child to return to school: Asthma flare up, coughing, and/or wheezing has subsided and the course of nebulizer treatment is complete.
  • Constant Sneezing (with any nasal secretions): If you have any nasal secretions, including clear, you may not remain at school.   
    • All condition(s) must be met for the child to return to school: Nasal secretions have cleared completely.
  • Skin Eruptions/Rash (including but not limited to ringworm, scabies, impetigo, molluscum contagiosum, and hives.)
    • All condition(s) must be met for the child to return to school: You may return to school when the rash has subsided OR you provide a note from your healthcare provider. 

  Contact the school nurse before reporting back to school at dbaltzer@fau.edu or 561-297-2076.

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