COVID-19 Update
Last week, the L.A. County Department of Health revised guidance for early care programs. The only substantive revision was limited to eliminating the mandate that all people in a cohort are assumed exposed and must quarantine if someone within that group contracts COVID. Now, the guidance is shifting to using contract tracing to identify those in the cohort who would be considered a “close contact”. Upon initial analysis, we do not believe there are many scenarios in which we could avoid the full closure of a cohort if exposure were to occur. However, since it is conceivable, we will be updating our policy with this new information. If there were to be an exposure in your child’s group, you would receive an email from us. In this message we would inform you if your child had possibly been exposed through close contact.
Does your child have a runny nose? If so, can they come to the CEC? These are frequent questions over the last few weeks and we are working to make sure that our messaging and Department of Health guidelines are clear and consistent for parents and staff members.
According to Public Health, children with a “runny nose” may continue to attend early care programs if:
They are free from all primary pediatric COVID symptoms: cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache.
There is no combination of other possible COVID symptoms: shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, muscle pain, feeling tired, and poor appetite.
If your child is experiencing a very mild runny nose, there are no other COVID symptoms and their overall health and wellbeing allows them to participate and enjoy their day at the CEC, you may bring them in. Also, children who wear masks must be able to do so hygienically, meaning that the cloth does not become rapidly soiled by mucus or create a greater urge to touch or adjust it. However, if they are experiencing something more than a very mild condition, please call a program director to consult rather than wait until you arrive at a greeter station. As always, we are more than happy to speak with you and hope you will contact us with any questions.
You can also read our full COVID-19 Parent Handbook Addendum for complete information on our COVID-19 policies and practices.
