A. Westside recommended school responses:
1. Stay home when sick
CDC recommends that individuals with influenza-like illness remain at
home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8° C] or
greater), or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.
2. Separate ill students and staff
Sick students and staff will always be required to stay home. CDC recommends that
students and staff who appear to have an influenza-like illness at arrival or
become ill during the day be promptly separated from other students and
staff and sent home.
3. Hand hygiene
Influenza may spread via contaminated hands or inanimate objects that become
contaminated with influenza viruses. CDC recommends that students and staff be
encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after
coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective at killing flu
germs. Hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful, however
there is less evidence on their effectiveness compared to that on hand washing and
alcohol-based sanitizers.
4. Respiratory etiquette
Influenza viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person in respiratory
droplets of coughs and sneezes. CDC recommends covering the nose and mouth
with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throwing the tissue in the
trash after use. Wash hands promptly after coughing or sneezing. If a tissue is not
immediately available, coughing or sneezing into one's arm or sleeve (not into one's
hand) is recommended.
5. Routine cleaning
Westside will regularly clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact.
6. Early treatment for high-risk students and staff
CDC recommends that schools encourage ill staff and parents of ill students at higher risk of complications from influenza to seek early treatment.
B.Recommended additional responses during times of increased influenza severity:
1. Active screening for illness
If influenza severity increases, WHCS will consider instituting active fever
and respiratory infection symptom screening of students and staff when
they arrive at school.
2. Permit high-risk students and staff to stay home
If influenza severity increases, students and staff at high risk for influenza
complications may consider staying home from school while influenza
transmission is high in their community if they, or their families, are
concerned about their ability to avoid influenza at school.
3. Students with ill household members stay home
If influenza severity increases, school-aged children who live with people
with influenza-like illness will remain home for 5 days from the day the first
household member got sick.
4. Increase social distances within the school environment
If influenza severity increases, Westside will explore innovative methods for
increasing social distances within the school environment.
5. Extended exclusion period
If influenza severity increases, individuals with influenza-like illness will
remain at home for at least 7 days, even if symptoms resolve sooner.
Individuals who are still sick 7 days after they become ill will continue to
stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
6. School dismissals and closures
Westside officials will work closely and directly with local and state public health officials to make sound decisions about school closures, based on local conditions, and to implement strategies in a coordinated manner.
The length of time students will be dismissed from school will vary depending
on the the severity and extent of illness. When the decision is made to dismiss students, CDC recommends doing so for 5 to 7 calendar days.
7. Reducing adverse effects from school dismissal and closure
In the event of a school closure, Westside will communicate assignments and course information via Edline.