COVID Health/Safety
May 2023 COVID-19 update
On May 11, 2023, the public health emergency (PHE) declaration ended. Among other policy implications, the end of the PHE will impact health policy measures associated with access to COVID-19 testing and treatment.
Does the end of the public health emergency mean COVID-19 is over?
No. COVID-19 cases are down sharply, but the end of the emergency declarations does not mean the virus is no longer a threat. The virus remains a leading cause of death in the United States, with about 250 daily deaths on average. Visit the CDC’s website, the WA Department of Health, and the Snohomish Health Department for information about local infection rates.
CDC continues to advise that everyone stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, use at-home tests if they’ve been exposed or have symptoms, stay home if they’re sick, and wear a high-quality mask when COVID-19 levels are high. These precautions are the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.
How will the end of the public health emergency affect community members?
When the public health emergency ends, COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be free for all, as long as the supply of federally purchased vaccines lasts. However, access to and cost of testing and treatment will vary on whether they have public, private, or no health insurance.
Will schools still provide COVID-19 testing?
Edmonds School District will continue to provide testing for students until the end of this school year.
Will schools still need to report COVID cases after May 11?
Yes, schools need to continue to report all positive cases in their buildings. The Snohomish Health Department will be notified when our district reports outbreaks (20% or 5 or more cases within a cohort or group within a 7-day period) and suspected outbreaks. The district is still required to report positive cases that are identified through school-administered testing. Schools are still expected to report outbreaks. Snohomish Health Department only requires the district to report outbreaks (20% or 5 or more cases within a cohort or group within a 7-day period) and suspected outbreaks, not every case/suspected case. The district is still required to report positive cases that are identified through school-administered testing.
Will there be new COVID-19 guidance for schools for School year 2023-24?Yes, we anticipate new school guidelines for next school year related to COVID-19. This information from the WA Department of Health is expected at the end of May 2023.
It is essential that students, staff and families continue to stay home when sick
Stay home when sick
Because students can be sick for many reasons other than COVID-19, such as the flu and RSV, we still expect families to keep their students home if they are sick. If your student has any of the symptoms below, please keep them home until they subside.
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APPEARANCE, FATIGUE BEHAVIOR – Unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused or irritable
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MUSCLE OR BODY ACHES
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EYES – White or yellow drainage, vision change, and/or redness of the eyelid or skin around the eye, itchiness, pain or sensitivity to light
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FEVER OR CHILLS – Temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Student/staff member must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school/work
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PERSISTENT NASAL DRAINAGE AND/OR A CONSISTENT COUGH
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NEW SYMPTOMS OF SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING
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SORE THROAT
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DIARRHEA – Watery stools within the last 24 hours
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NAUSEA OR VOMITING – Vomiting within the past 24 hours
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RASH – Body rash, especially with fever or itching
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OR ANY OTHER COVID-LIKE SYMPTOMS
It is not unusual for student to feel great in the morning and then worse as the day goes by. School are not equipped for prolonged care of your sick student. We require that you or an emergency contact will pick up your sick child within the hour that you are called. Please notify your school of any changes to your emergency contacts, it is important to have a list of available contacts if we are not able to reach you.
Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe and healthy.
| Situations | K-12 Students | All Staff | Early Learning Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms in building |
Strongly recommend:
Symptomatic people who cannot wear a mask should be separated from others as much as possible. |
Required under L&I:
Symptomatic people who cannot wear a mask should be separated from others as much as possible. |
Required: Recommend:
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| Exposure to a positive COVID-19 case | Strongly recommend:
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Strongly recommend:
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Strongly recommend:
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| Positive COVID-19 test with symptoms | Strongly recommend:
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Required under L&I:
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Required:
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| Positive COVID-19 test without symptoms | Strongly recommend:
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Required under L&I:
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Required:
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What to do if a student/staff member is showing signs of COVID-19 symptoms?
Regardless of vaccination status, staff and students cannot come to school/work if they are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19. They should get tested and/or see a health care provider and follow flow chart below from the Department of Health.
Click here to review the flow chart
If anyone shows COVID-19 symptoms at school or work, they must mask up, immediately isolate, be sent home and are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test.
If a student member tests positive for COVID-19, when can they return to school?
Students who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from others for at least 5-days following both the onset of symptoms and/or the COVID-19 positive test.
Upon return a student member should follow the below:
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Wear a well fitting mask or face shield with a drape during day 6-10 of the isolation period
If a staff member tests positive for COVID-19, when can they return to school?
Note: Need to adhere to L&I guidance
Staff who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from other for at least 5 days following both the onset of symptom and/or the COVID-19 positive test.
Regardless of when staff ends isolation, take the following step for the 10 days after symptoms developed (or tested positive, if you never developed symptoms):
Wear a well-fitting and high-quality mask or respirator around others at home and in public for at least 5 additional days (day 6-10) after the end of your 5-day isolation period.
Staff need to adhere to the following guidance:
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 from WA DOH
Masks are available at all schools and district buildings
Schools and district buildings will continue to stock and provide masks for students, staff, volunteers and visitors who choose to wear one.
view the Edmonds School District COVID-19 Dashboard
We will notify the school staff and families of specific higher-risk exposures.
The district is still required to report positive cases to the Snohomish Health District. If a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, please notify your school so we can continue to accurately report this information.
What do students/staff do if they are exposed to a positive COVID-19 case?
Exposed students and staff may continue to participate in school and extracurricular activities if they are not symptomatic. They are expected to monitor for symptoms for a full 10 days from the exposure, consider wearing a mask and get tested on day 5. If an exposed student or staff member develops symptoms or tests positive, they are required to immediately isolate at home and follow the DOH protocols.
COVID-19 testing available at schools and district office
We will continue to offer COVID-19 testing at our schools and our centralized COVID-19 Response Center at the Educational Service Center, 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood. Please call 425-431-1900 to schedule an appointment.
Each school building will offer testing times, please call your school directly for testing information.