We have received many questions about students with previous conditions like seasonal allergies or what to do if your child tests negative for COVID-19 and when they can return to school.
Ottawa Public Health has produced a letter for parents to help with the return to school. Called the “Attestation for Return to School/Childcare for Students Following Illness,” the letter can be used by parents when:
- They can confirm their child has been diagnosed for a previous chronic condition, such as allergies or asthma.
- After being sent home, their child has seen a doctor or nurse practitioner who said the child’s symptoms were not related to COVID-19.
- The child did not have a COVID-19 test, but completed 14 days of self-isolation from the date when they started feeling sick, has not had a fever for three full days and is feeling better.
- The child had a negative COVID-19 test after starting to feel sick and
- has not felt sick for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if experiencing vomiting or diarrhea)
- has not been told by Ottawa Public Health or a healthcare provider to continue to self-isolate.
In the final situation, the health agency notes, “As long as your child had a negative COVID-19 test, mild symptoms like a runny nose do not have to be completely gone when your child returns to school provided the runny nose (or other mild symptom) is improving and other symptoms have stopped.”