When Someone Gets Sick or Tests Positive for COVID-19

If your child tests positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing symptoms, they should stay home until:

• Their symptoms are improving overall, and
• They have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.

After returning to school and normal activities, families should take additional precautions for the next five days because the student may still be contagious. Precautions may include wearing a well-fitting mask, practicing good hand hygiene, improving ventilation when possible, and avoiding close contact with people who are at higher risk for serious illness.

If symptoms worsen or fever returns after the student has returned to school, they should stay home again until symptoms are improving and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

If your child is at higher risk for serious illness, contact their healthcare provider promptly. Treatment for COVID-19 may be available and works best when started early.

For additional guidance, see CDPH: What to Do If You're Feeling Sick.

If a student develops symptoms during the school day, school staff will assess how the student is feeling and whether they are able to safely participate in school.

Families may be contacted to pick up their child if the student:

• Has a fever;
• Is too sick to comfortably participate in school activities;
• Requires more care than school staff can safely provide; or
• Has symptoms that raise concern for a potentially contagious illness.

Students who become sick should follow current SFUSD and public health guidance before returning to school.

COVID-19 Exposure

Students who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms and follow current public health recommendations for testing and other precautions.

If symptoms develop, stay home and follow the guidance on the Before Coming to School page.

Additional instructions may be provided during an outbreak or when recommended by SFUSD, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), or the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Staff Guidance

SFUSD employees who are sick or test positive for COVID-19 should follow current public health guidance and applicable SFUSD employee illness and leave procedures.

Employees with symptoms of a respiratory illness should stay home until:

• Their symptoms are improving overall, and
• They have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.

For current workplace health and safety information, see Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance and Resources and CDPH: What to Do If You're Feeling Sick.

Additional Resources

• CDPH Respiratory Viruses
• CDPH: What to Do If You're Feeling Sick
• CDPH: Stay Healthy — Prevent Respiratory Viruses
• CDPH TK–12 School and Child Care Guidance
• Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance and Resources