You are here

COVID-19

 
On May 5, 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global COVID-19 health emergency was over. By that date nearly seven million deaths worldwide were reported. Over 1.1 million deaths occurred in the United States. On May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency expired in the United States. Throughout the three years of the pandemic DPI provided COVID-19 information relevant to school nurses, school healthcare professionals, school administrators, and school staff as they navigated and practiced infection control and mitigation measures to support student and staff health and learning.
 

Variants of the SARs-CoV2 virus responsible for the 2020-2023 global pandemic continue to circulate. This webpage reflects information specific to COVID-19 post pandemic, including information on Long COVID, a complication of infection with the SARs -CoV2 virus. Use of particular resources and mitigation strategies may be based upon local decisions and circulation levels of the virus. Some resources on this page such as isolation room considerations, may be used in the event of any highly contagious respiratory germ. General infection control and mitigation measures are located on the Communicable Diseases main website.

COVID-19 Resources

Click tabs below for current information and resources.

COVID-19 SPECIFIC RESOURCES
HEALTH ROOM MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES FOR SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS

Restarting Safe Education & Testing For Children with Medical Complexity

Family Decision Making Tool

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis in School during COVID-19

Autism and the Coronavirus: Resources for Families

During the coronavirus crisis, many families who have children with autism spectrum disorder are coping with the suspension of both school and essential services. Additionally, children with autism often have difficulty adjusting to the disruption of their routine and environment. (Child Mind Institute’s Autism Center 4/10/20)

Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies Webpage (CDC)

Provides resources to plan and care for children with various health conditions for urgent or constant medical needs, difficulty communicating or have trouble with transitioning to different situations. Includes emergency plans, transportation, access and functional needs. (CDC 1/6/21)

COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Provides information on ways parents and caregivers can help themselves, their families, and their children with special health care needs meet their safety, growth, and health care needs during the COVID-19 outbreak: (American Academy of Pediatrics 2/18/21)

Information for School Nurses from the Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC)

Provides resources for providing direct care, managing the health care plan, educating staff about emergency plans, identifying possible classroom accommodations for the student, as well as providing resources for parents for students with special health care needs. (Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD 2/2021)

COVID-19 Planning Considerations for Students with Special Health Needs

 

LONG COVID

Not all students previously diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibiting symptoms of the illness will develop symptoms of long COVID. However, the school nurse should be proactive in assessing, educating, and referring possible students who could be exhibiting physical, behavioral, or mental health issues, as well as academic challenges, as a symptom of this illness. (Long COVID—The New “Invisible” Illness. NASN School Nurse March 2022. DOI: 10.1177/1942602X211059427)