On October 27, 2020, the school guidance for responding to COVID-19 cases or symptoms was updated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Our schools work with the Cook County Department of Public Health to respond using the following criteria:

- IDPH Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals
- IDPH FAQs

If a student is sent home sick with suspected COVID-19 symptoms during a school day the IDPH guidelines also require that all siblings must also be sent home and quarantine until an alternative diagnosis is made or a negative COVID test result is received. While a negative rapid COVID test is allowed to clear a child to return to school after exhibiting symptoms, a PCR test remains the most accurate. If an individual is a close contact to a confirmed case, the school is experiencing an outbreak, or the health department is requiring validation due to community transmission levels, documentation of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result is needed. Our school nurse will provide all information when a child is sent home. Our nurse will also remain in contact with the family to ensure appropriate next steps are followed to return to school.