Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a few changes to the health office’s normal procedures. The New York State Department of Health has issued rules that the school must follow with regard to what we have to do if a child comes to the health office with a symptom of COVID-19.

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher

• Chills

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue – extreme tiredness

• Headache

• Muscle/body aches

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

A child who visits the health office with ANY of the above symptoms will be considered a positive screen for COVID-19 symptoms. The child will be immediately isolated and must be picked up by a parent/guardian. We understand that many children have these symptoms and do not have COVID-19, but because we are in a pandemic, we have to follow NYSDOH rules.

A child who is sent home from school because of a positive COVID-19 screen can only return to school if he/she has been seen by a medical provider, has tested negative for COVID-19 and is symptom-free, as per the NYSDOH. Should this change, the Hancock Central School District will inform the community as soon as possible.

Children who stay home because they are sick do not necessarily need a COVID-19 test. Children who are sick one day but feel fine the next day may return to school as long as they answer “NO” to all questions on the COVID-19 student entry ticket.

It is in your best interest to be truthful when filling out student entry tickets. If students come to school when they are sick, they will be sent to the nurse and then will need to follow the return-to-school procedure described above.

Please remember this situation is always changing. These protocols are in place to help keep everyone as safe as possible while we are trying to go back to our day-to-day lives.

As always, please call or email us with any questions and concerns.

Sincerely,

[email protected]                                                      [email protected]

High School Health Office                                                    Elementary Health Office

607-637-1310 (phone)                                                        607-637-1220 (phone)

607-637-5716 (fax)                                                             607-637-1229 (fax)