School Resources for COVID-19

COVID-19 school and child care screening tool

What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19

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Return to school

In-person learning continues in Ontario. Children and families should screen for COVID-19 daily.

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

Please check the school board websites for additional details:

For questions or concerns about the implementation of the provincial guidelines, please first speak with the administrator of the school.

Screening

Children and families should screen for COVID-19 daily, the tool has been updated: 

Exposure and symptoms

Visit www.Ontario.ca/Exposed for what to do if you've been exposed to COVID-19. Information is provided on symptoms and when to self-isolate or self-monitor.

Learn what to do if you think you have COVID-19.

Testing

Assessment Centre PCR Testing

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

Students and staff in publicly funded schools will have access to rapid antigen tests that can be used if needed. Distribution of tests and directions for use will follow provincial testing guidance.

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.

Case and contact management

 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.

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.

Vaccination

Vaccines are an important tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and allow families to safely resume normal activities.

A person is considered to be fully vaccinated 14 days or more since they have received their second COVID-19 vaccine dose.

For more information on children and vaccines see vaccine information for parents/guardians of children (5-11)

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