School Resources for COVID-19

Following public health measures in schools will support keeping students and staff safe. The most important measures continue to be physical distancing as much as possible, wearing a mask, staying home when sick, and washing hands. 

For tips about infection prevention and control for parents, guardians and caregivers, see Public Health Ontario's Preventing COVID-19: Tips for Children Attending School.

Yes, we encourage everyone to use the COVID-19 Alert app. The more people using the app, the better for everyone. If someone gets COVID-19, they will enter a key in the app which will anonymously alert others who may be close contacts to go for testing. 

Assessment and testing centres are only for those eligible for PCR testing. Find out more information about eligibility and assessment centres.

Rapid antigen tests continue to be provided through schools/child cares, as available, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Take a test as soon as symptoms appear. Take another test 24-48 hours later. If both tests are negative and symptoms improve for 24 hours, children can return to school/child care.

What is a rapid antigen test?

• The rapid antigen tests being used are used are the BTNX Rapid Response, SD Biosensor, and Trimedic FaStep nasal tests
• A rapid antigen test is done at home with a swab in the nose. It takes less than 30 minutes to test and get results 

How do you take a test?

There are 3 different varieties of rapid antigen tests that are being distributed by the province.

• BTXN Rapid Response™
• SD Biosensor:
• Trimedic FaStep® 

• The Ontario Health Guide or Ontario Health Guide  provides detailed instructions on how to do a nasal swab
• BTNX video demonstrates the steps in detail on how to do a nasal swab test on another person
• Ontario Health Video s an in-depth video about the whole process of the rapid antigen test

PCR self-collection kits

Until schools have enough rapid tests on hand and available, at home PCR self-collection kits will be distributed to children who develop symptoms while at school. Instructions for use will be provided.

The following link can be used to find locations where they can be dropped off: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations

• You can search for locations by postal code
• Filter locations that ‘Accept school PCR self-collection kits’

 Reporting

Current provincial guidelines do not require school and child care to report positive cases to Public Health. Some school boards have decided to continue informing families of positive cases, check individual board and school websites for more information.

Public Health will not be notifying families of each COVID-19 case or exposure within their child's school or child care.

The Ministry of Education has indicated that when 30% of students and staff are absent (above average absences), schools and public health will work together to notify families.

Cohort dismissal and school closures

Public health will no longer be dismissing cohorts. Any decisions on dismissals or closure of a school or child care will be made by administrators.

Positive cases

School and child care related positive PCR cases (results of those eligible for testing) will be contacted by the provincial workforce for case and contact management.