As many families will be traveling and attending gatherings during the April break, we are also experiencing an increase in COVID cases. Your school nurses would like to take some steps to ensure a healthy transition back to school.
Illness and Symptom Checker Reminder
Everyone should be familiar with the symptom checker protocol by now. Even though the mask mandate has been lifted, BPS nurses continue to monitor absences daily and require you to fill out the absence form anytime your child is absent from school due to a failed symptom check. You must also call your child’s school to report their absence. This form does not replace the need to inform administration of an absence.
Testing Positive During April Vacation
If your child tests positive for COVID during April break PLEASE fill out your school’s absence form, this is especially important if your child tests positive from April 20th onwards. Your child may not return to school until they have been cleared by a nurse if they test positive on or after April 20th. Nurses will be on vacation during the break and will check the absence forms upon return from vacation. BPS Testing Positive. The Belmont Health Department will be available to answer questions and can be reached at 617-993-2720.
BURBANK absence follow up form
BUTLER absence follow up form
WELLINGTON absence follow up form
WINN BROOK absence follow up form
CHENERY absence follow up form
BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL absence follow up form
At-home Antigen Tests - recommended use
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If your child is experiencing symptoms it is recommended to test daily (and wear a MASK) while experiencing symptoms
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Test before returning to school on Monday April 25th
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Test if your child has been identified as a close contact (test 5 days from last exposure or later)
Pooled Testing is encouraged for all that are eligible
Many individuals who have consented are no longer submitting tests. With an increase in cases, this IS the time to test. You must already have a consent on file to participate upon return from April vacation. Overall participation rate has been declining in all schools. We encourage all eligible individuals to participate.
Mask Reminders
Please note that masks must be worn at all times when in the school health office. Although the mask mandate has been lifted, there are times when masks are recommended:
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All unvaccinated individuals are to be masked when around others, other than when eating, drinking, or outside
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Following the 5-day isolation period after testing positive, wear a mask for 5 additional days when around others, other than when eating, drinking, or outside.
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Unvaccinated individuals identified as close contacts (upon return to school after 5 days of quarantine), wear a mask, other than when eating, drinking, or outside, and conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 10
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Symptomatic individuals returning to school with improving symptoms and a negative COVID test (best practice would include wearing a mask until symptoms are fully resolved).
With the expected surge in cases and increase in illnesses overall, please consider having your child wear a mask when in school.
Vaccinations and Upcoming Clinic
Vaccination for COVID-19 remains the best way to protect everyone from COVID-19 and COVID-19 related complications. The vaccine is safe and free and available to everyone age 5 and over.
Vaccination can help to protect individuals from COVID-19, prevent serious illness if they do get infected with a breakthrough case, keep them in school longer, and protect those around them including high risk family members and younger siblings who may not yet be eligible for the vaccine.If your child has not yet received the vaccine, please reach out to your school nurse with any questions or for guidance on how and where to get your child vaccinated.
The Belmont Health Department will be hosting another COVID Vaccine Clinic on April 21, 2022 at Beth El Temple Center. Please refer to this link for more information. Use this link to register
Information about second booster shots for eligible groups four months removed from receiving a first booster of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Those eligible include:
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Individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after getting a first booster
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Individuals 18 and older with certain medical conditions may get a second Moderna booster at least 4 months after first booster
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Individuals 12 and older with certain medical conditions may get a second Pfizer booster at least 4 months after the first booster.
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In addition, per the CDC, individuals 18 and older who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Be Well!
BPS Nurses
BPS Nursing Health and Safety