COVID-19 Testing Framework
Due to the increased travel and social interactions that often occur during school breaks, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends that students and staff get tested for COVID-19 prior to returning to school following major breaks (e.g., summer, winter, spring). CDPH strongly recommends that all students and staff take a rapid antigen test before returning to campus and again on the third day after returning. Rapid tests are available at all school site offices and the District Office in building A, open until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If there is a positive result:
- Parents/Guardians: please complete this student Covid reporting form to report your student's COVID-19 case to your child's school nurse.
- Staff: please complete this staff Covid reporting form to report your case of COVID-19 to the school nurse.
COVID-19 Reporting
The Laguna Beach Unified School District provides ongoing information to our community regarding COVID-19 cases while maintaining confidentiality for our students and staff. The COVID-19 case data below is updated regularly to indicate any currently confirmed COVID-19 positive case in staff members or students by school site. The data below shows currently confirmed cases, or individuals in isolation due to COVID-19. Upon learning of an individual with a confirmed COVID-19 positive test, the District notifies all families at the school site via ParentSquare. The best defenses against COVID-19 are to take a multi-strategy approach. This includes vaccination for eligible individuals (please consult with your physician with any questions or concerns), mask wearing based on guidelines when appropriate, enhanced air filtration in indoor spaces, frequent handwashing and coughing etiquette, and staying home when symptoms of COVID-19 are present.
Current COVID-19 Positive Cases and Isolation/Quarantine Totals
In the Event of an Outbreak of COVID-19 at School
Schools are still required, as with other communicable diseases, to report outbreaks. The current definition
of a COVID-19 outbreak in school is: "3 or more cases within a group (e.g. classroom, team, activity group) that test COVID-19 positive
within a 14 day period."
In the event of a COVID-19 outbreak, the school nurse, in partnership with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), will notify all potentially exposed individuals involved and follow the healthcare directives from OCHCA. Students or staff will be notified via a general exposure risk letter with action steps, including suggested testing, symptom monitoring, and additional resources.
Please continue to monitor your child or children daily for COVID-19 symptoms, including
| Student Symptoms (Orange County Health Care Agency) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Low-Risk: General Symptoms | High-Risk: Red Flag Symptoms | |
| Fever (greater/equal to 100.4ºF) | Sore throat | Cough |
| Congestion/runny nose | Headache | Difficulty breathing |
| Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea | Fatigue/muscle or body aches | Loss of taste/smell |
| *Any symptoms = Keep your child home from school and contact your school nurse as soon as possible | ||
Recommendations for staying home when sick and getting tested:
a. Get tested for COVID-19 when symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (above).
b. Advise staff members and students with symptoms of COVID-19 infection not to return for in-person instruction until they have met CDPH criteria to return to school for those with symptoms:
- Fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications; AND
- Other symptoms are improving; OR
- A COVID-19 test taken as early as the day of symptom onset is negative; OR
- A healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma) OR a healthcare provider has confirmed an alternative named diagnosis (e.g., Streptococcal pharyngitis, Coxsackie virus); OR
- At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset.
If the student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, follow the guidance for isolation.
In addition to health and safety measures taken on campuses, we encourage families to be proactive and to reinforce the importance of vaccination for eligible individuals, strongly recommend wearing surgical masks/KN95/N95 at all times while indoors, daily symptom monitoring, testing when symptomatic or advised to test, staying home from school when symptomatic, and frequent handwashing to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Additionally, your quick reporting to your child's school nurse helps to reduce the risk of further outbreak and helps keep students in school.
More information about COVID-19 mitigation measures and other helpful resources can be found at the California Safe Schools for All Parents website.
Nurse Contact Information
- Kelly Schultz, RN, MSN kschultz@lbusd.org - Top of the World Elementary School, Thurston Middle School
- Pam Majd, RN, MSN pmajd@lbusd.org - El Morro Elementary School, Laguna Beach High School