Returning to school after symptoms of COVID-19

When Is It Safe to Return to the School Building?
Posted on 02/02/2021
Testing Line

2/2/2021 1:51 PM

 Dear Member of the P.S. 129 John H. Finley at 425 WEST 130 STREET Community:

In this letter you will find information about when students and staff can return to school after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. This guidance reflects the expertise of the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the New York City Department of Education (DOE) and the NYC Test + Trace Corps (T2).

When Is It Safe to Return to the School Building?

Any student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19 can return to school only after:

  •  Isolating for 10 days AND
  •  Being fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication AND
  •  Is experiencing overall improvement in symptoms

Please note:

  • For people with symptoms, the infectious period generally begins two days before symptoms start and continues for ten days from when symptoms begin.
  • For people with no symptoms (asymptomatic), the infectious period is estimated to begin two days before COVID-19 testing to ten days after testing.
  • A person may continue to receive a positive COVID-19 test result for up to three months even though they are no longer infectious.

If a student or staff member showed symptoms but tested negative for COVID-19, they can return to school only after:

  • Being fever free 24 hours without the use of medication AND
  • Overall symptoms are improving

If a student or staff member did not get tested for COVID-19 but showed symptoms, they can return to school only after:

  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND
  • They have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication AND
  • Overall symptoms are improving

If a student or staff member is considered a close contact of an individual who has tested positive, they can return to school only after:

  • Quarantining for 10-days since their last exposure to that case (even if you receive a subsequent negative COVID-19 test result)

Students in quarantine should participate in remote learning to the extent possible. 

How can I stay updated?

To help New Yorkers quarantine, the NYC Test + Trace Corps partners with community-based organizations to connect individuals to resources like food, medicine, and health care.  To connect with resources, you can call 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319).

For additional information on COVID-19, visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311. 

Thank you for your cooperation. Health and safety will always come first in New York City public schools, no matter what.

Sincerely,

ODELPHIA PIERRE