The management of 2019 Novel Coronavirus is, as expected, evolving with time and research. There is a global response to contain this virus and we will receive specific guidance from public health organizations. If there is any information that relates to Olathe Public Schools, staff and parents will be informed.
The district is collaborating with public health officials around this issue to ensure that current practices are appropriate.
The CDC recommends the following prevention actions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The support and assistance of our school community when working to contain communicable diseases is vital. Teaching the foundations of healthy habits in the home, self-reporting illness, and keeping sick individuals home are important elements in the success of containing communicable diseases within a community. The diligence of our family partners in this effort is greatly appreciated.
Be mindful that if you experience any symptoms of illness (fever over 100.4 or higher, cough, difficulty breathing), it will be important to contact your healthcare provider prior to returning to be returning to school in order to be evaluated.
Symptoms of COVID-19
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Loss of taste and/or smell (if this occurs, presume you are COVID-positive regardless of results)
- Fever of 100 degrees or more
- Extreme fatigue
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
Important to Note
During the 2024-25 school year, Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test kits will again be available at no charge and can be picked up at all district buildings. If you have questions about your test kit, please contact the manufacturer's customer support line at 1-800-838-9502. Test kits can be used by staff, students, and family members. Parents are welcome to test their students at home as nurses will not administer any COVID tests at school. Funding for COVID tests and supplies is provided by a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Education.
If you have tested positive for COVID, these are recommendations provided by the Johnson County Health Department:
- You can go back to your normal activities and return to school when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- When you go back to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next five days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
- Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
- If you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next five days.
Nota Importante
Durante el ciclo escolar 2024-25, los kits de prueba casera de antígeno Flowflex COVID-19 estarán nuevamente disponibles sin cargo y podrán ser adquiridos en todos los edificios del distrito. Si tiene preguntas sobre su kit de prueba, comuníquese con la línea de atención al cliente del fabricante al 1-800-838-9502. Los kits de prueba pueden ser utilizados por el personal, los estudiantes y los miembros de la familia. Los padres pueden hacer la prueba a sus hijos en casa, ya que las enfermeras no administrarán ninguna prueba COVID en la escuela. La financiación tanto de las pruebas COVID como de los suministros proviene de una subvención del Departamento de Salud y Educación de Kansas.
Si ha dado positivo en la prueba de COVID, estas son las recomendaciones del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Johnson:
- Usted puede volver a sus actividades normales y regresar a la escuela cuando, durante al menos 24 horas, se cumplan estos dos requisitos:
- Sus síntomas están mejorando en general, y
- No has tenido fiebre (y no estás tomando medicamentos para bajar la fiebre).
- Cuando vuelva a sus actividades normales, tome precauciones adicionales durante los cinco días siguientes, como tomar medidas adicionales para tener un aire más limpio, higiene, mascarillas, distanciamiento físico y/o pruebas cuando vaya a estar cerca de otras personas en espacios cerrados.
- Tenga en cuenta que aún puede contagiar el virus que le hizo enfermar, aunque se encuentre mejor. Es probable que seas menos contagioso en este momento, dependiendo de factores como el tiempo que haya estado enfermo o lo enfermo que estuvo.
- Si tiene fiebre o empieza a sentirse peor después de haber retomado sus actividades normales, vuelva a quedarse en casa y alejado de los demás hasta que, durante al menos 24 horas, se cumplan las dos condiciones: sus síntomas mejoren en general y no haya tenido fiebre (y no esté tomando medicamentos para bajar la fiebre). Entonces, tome precauciones adicionales durante los cinco días posteriores.
