The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has updated its guidelines for Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses. According to their guidance, the 5-day isolation requirement has been discontinued and schools should follow the recommendation for the general population to stay home when experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness, such as COVID-19, Flu, and RSV. Please review the updates here.
10/30/2023 Flu Season is Upon Us!It's that time of year, flu season is here. Please be sure to keep your child home if they are sick. Here is some helpful information about influenza.
11/15/2022 RSV and What You Should KnowWith the high number of RSV cases this season, here are some tips to help keep you and your family healthy.
CDC Information Page for RSV 5/27/2022 UpdatesPlease be advised that DESE has updated their COVID-19 guidance in schools as of May 2022. Here are the most recent guidelines.
1/10/2022 Updated FAQ from DESEDepartment of Elementary & Secondary Education and Department of Public Health
Frequently Asked Questions, January 6, 2022 1.) When do the updated DPH/DESE Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios go into effect? The updated were released on December 30, 2021 and were effective immediately. The protocols can be applied retroactively for people currently in isolation or quarantine. So, if an individual tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the date the updated guidance was released, they should now use the 5-day isolation or quarantine period and return to school once they have met certain conditions as outlined in the protocols. 2.) Can individuals returning from quarantine and isolation remove their masks to eat meals? Per the updated protocols, individuals returning from a 5-day isolation and quarantine must mask for an additional 5 days when around others. Like individuals participating in Test & Stay, during meals, masks should only be removed when individuals are actively eating. Additionally, DESE recommends a physical distance of at least 3 feet while eating, as feasible. This means masks must be worn when individuals are waiting for meals or sitting at lunch tables after meals are finished. 3.) What is the definition of fully vaccinated as it relates to the eligibility for the updated isolation and quarantine guidance? At this time, and as provided in the updated , fully vaccinated is still defined as two-weeks following the completion of the Pfizer or Moderna series or two-weeks following a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
10/28/2021 TEST AND STAY- FAQ
This is a guide only. As always, if you are feeling unwell, please call your primary care provider and update the school nurse.
8/26/2021 A New School YearThe WPS nurses are gearing up for a new school year! Please remember to contact your school nurse if your child has any health concerns, medications, allergies, or illness symptoms.
To review updated and important information on COVID-19 Protocols and procedures for the 2021-2022 school year, please click here. COVID-19 symptoms include: • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath • New loss of taste or smell • Muscle aches or body aches • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough) • Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms • Headache when in combination with other symptoms • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms |