COVID-19 Information

    Managing Students Exposed to COVID-19

    Addressing exposures to infectious diseases, including COVID-19, can allow for rapid testing, early treatment, and prevention of further spread.

    Recommended Actions:

    • Schools should consider providing a general notification to the entire school community when many in the community may currently have COVID-19 and be infectious to others. This communication can alert all to the increased potential of being exposed to COVID-19 due to a rise in cases among school and community members and remind all to monitor for symptoms and get tested.
    • All students with known exposure to persons with COVID-19 should follow the recommendations listed in Table 2 (Asymptomatic Persons Who are Exposed to Someone with COVID-19) of CDPH's guidance for the general public. If they remain without symptoms, students may continue to take part in all aspects of K–12 schooling, including sports and extracurricular activities.

    Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks

    CDPH will continue to support local health and education officials in managing suspected or confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19.

    Recommended Actions:

    • Broad disruptions to in-person learning, such as temporary school or classroom closures, due to COVID-19 should remain a last resort and considered only after all available resources have been exhausted, and only after conferring with local health officials.
    • Local public health officials are encouraged to contact CDPH to learn more about consultation, testing, and vaccination resources to support the management of COVID-19 outbreaks.

    Reporting COVID-19 Disease Burden to Local Health Authorities

    Notifying local health authorities of the disease burden in schools can expedite the deployment of additional strategies and resources to manage illness and contain transmission and outbreaks.

    Required Actions:

    • K–12 schools should refer to California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 17, §2500, and §2508 for reporting requirements. Note that 17 CCR §2500 has been temporarily modified by the State Public Health Officer Order of February 10, 2022.
    • As workplaces, schools are subject to COVID-19 workplace outbreak reporting requirements stipulated in Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Non-Emergency Regulations.