- New York State Center for School Health
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
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On August 22, 2022, School Officials from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State
Education Department (NYSED)released a Joint Guidance Letter along with Frequently Asked Questions.
These documents can be found at the NYSDOH Schools & Youth Page under Guidance for Schools.All questions regarding these documents may be directed to the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH):
1-888-364-3065 or schoolquestionscovid@health.ny.govContact information for Local County Health Departments - NYS Local Health Department Websites and Phone Numbers by Counties Listing
Trending Information and Updates
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09/23/22 | NYSDOH: What You Need to Know
What You Need to Know effective as of September 23, 2022, 4:19 PM https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home- All New Yorkers 6 months and older should get vaccinated and get their booster dose when eligible.
- If you are experiencing symptoms or were exposed, get tested.
- If you test positive, stay home and talk to your healthcare provider about treatment.
- Masks are still required in healthcare facilities. Masks are optional in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, airports and on public transit.
- All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all CDC travel requirements.
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08/26/22 | NYSED Memo Regarding Eligibility to Submit Claims for Employee Health Care Worker Bonus Payments
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08/22/22 | Joint Guidance Letter to School Officials from New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and New York State Education Department (NYSED) and in Spanish
The New York State Department of Health Commissioner Bassett and New York State Education Department Commissioner Rosa released a joint memo containing information about COVID-19 operational guidance for schools. In addition, there are documents containing questions and answers helpful for schools and parents/caregivers. These documents can be found at: Schools & Youth | Department of Health (ny.gov) and Spanish versions are available on the NYSED Health and Safety page
State and Federal Resources
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NYSDOH PreK-12 Schools Guidance
Schools & Youth | Department of Health
Ensuring a safe and healthy school environment for our children as they return to school this fall is a top priority. The NYSDOH continues to be ready to answer questions by email at SchoolQuestionsCOVID@health.ny.gov -
NYSED P-12 School Guidance
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CDC Guidance for Schools | Child Care | Colleges
CDC considerations below are meant to supplement—not replace—state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which schools must comply.
CDC Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
This page provides information on if or when someone needs to quarantine or isolate and provides a quarantine and isolation calculator.CDC COVID-19 Schools and Childcare Programs
This page provides strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safe operations in schools in child care programs.- K-12 Guidance - The CDC update is an effort to simplify and streamline existing guidance to make it easier for schools to assess their risk and take necessary actions to protect students and staff.
The main updates include:
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- Removed the recommendation to cohort
- Changed recommendation to conduct screening testing to focus on high-risk activities during high COVID-19 Community Level or in response to an outbreak
- Removed the recommendation to quarantine, except in high-risk congregate settings
- Removed information about Test to Stay
- Added detailed information on when to wear a mask, managing cases and exposures, and responding to outbreaks
CDC Updated Mask Resources:
CDC What to do if a Student Becomes Sick or Reports a New COVID-19 Diagnosis at School
The CDC algorithm will help schools determine the next steps to take if a student becomes sick at school or reports a new COVID-19 diagnosis at school.CDC Information on International Travel is here.
Page Updated 8/22/22
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US Department of Education Resources
COVID-19 Resources for Schools
Students, and FamiliesProvides information on online education and accessibility, protecting civil rights of and privacy impact on assessments and accountability under ESSA, Readiness Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA). The bottom of the page contains a link to FERPA and information on sharing personally identifiable information during COVID-19. the direct link to the FERPA webpage is provided below.U.S. Education Department Student Privacy Page
Provides a recorded webinar that addresses 10 common scenarios and questions on FERPA FERPA & COVID-19 FAQs, a resource list on FERPA, and Virtual Learning Blog Post: May Schools Disclose Information about Cases of COVID-19.Page Updated 8/22/22
Testing and School Data
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NYSDOH School Testing Resources
There are many testing resources available to support testing for the school population.
The information on the Schools & Youth | Department of Health webpage under the Testing Resources for Schools section provides details about testing resources made available to schools in New York State.
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CDC Resources for COVID Testing
Please visit the CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools which provides a list of federal resources for screening testing programs in schools.
Other Resources
CDC Performing Broad-Based Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Congregate Settings: Considerations for Health Departments and Healthcare Providers
The CDC has published an overview to assist public health departments and healthcare providers prepare for broad-based viral testing for COVID in congregate settings (like schools). It covers supplies needed, coordination of planning between healthcare providers, the local health department, physical space, the flow for testing multiple people in succession, and what to do after testing is completed.Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
This document is intended to provide guidance on the appropriate use of testing for SARS-CoV-2 in light of additional testing capacity throughout the country and does not address decisions regarding payment for or insurance coverage of such testing.To Test or Not to Test: Considerations for Waived Testing (CDC 2019)
This CDC checklist and booklet review what is needed to conduct waived testing and can be helpful for those considering on-site COVID-19 testing at schools. Sites performing only waived tests must obtain a Certificate of Waiver by applying for this certification for each location performing testing. Note: A NYS a Limited Service Lab Certificate (LSL) is the NYS equivalent of a Federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waiver. -
FDA COVID Testing Resources
Coronavirus Testing Basics
Testing basics are available on the FDA website here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
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NYSDOH COVID-19 Vaccine Web Pages and Vaccine Tracker
NYSDOH COVID Vaccine - Get the Facts
Provides information on COVID-19 vaccines, locations to receive the vaccine, information on child vaccination, booster shot, excelsior pass, and in-home vaccination information.
NYSDOH COVID-19 Vaccination Information for Providers
Provides health care providers with information on ordering, receiving, and administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Including NYSDOH guidance documents related to this topic.NYSDOH COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
This dashboard is updated daily with data as of approximately 11 am on the same day. It reports the number of 1st and 2nd dose vaccinations distributed and administered across the state of New York.NYSDOH Vaccine Contact Information: Email: COVID19Vaccine@health.ny.gov Phone: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829)
You may also contact your local health department regarding vaccine eligibility.Page Updated 8/23/22 -
CDC and FDA Vaccine Safety
CDC Resources
CDC TRAIN
Provides continuously updated resources and training for Health Professionals on all topics (including vaccines and best immunization practices).U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information
Interim Clinical Considerations
Interim Clinical Consideration Summary
Provides an easy reference for clinical considerations.V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker
Provides information on how to register and complete a v-safe health check-in (including step-by-instructions with images), troubleshooting, FAQs, and contact information for technical support. These web pages will be continuously updated with additional resources.FDA Resources
FDA COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers
The FDA requires that vaccine recipients or their caregivers be provided with certain vaccine-specific EUA information to make an informed decision about vaccination.Page Updated 8/23/22
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Immunization Action Coalition COVID-19 Resource Page
Provides credible, timely information on vaccines - including COVID -19. They have created a one-stop resource page for anything you need to know regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.Page Updated 8/23/22
School Specific Resources
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Resources for School Medical Directors
This page contains information and resources for School Medical Directors.
Page Updated 1/18/22
Additional Resources
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Other Organization Resources on COVID-19
National and State Professional Organizations
American Lung Association (ALA) COVID-19 Resources for Community Leaders and Health Professionals
Infection Prevention and You COVID-19 Resources
National Association of School Nurses Coronavirus Resources
National Association of School Psychologists: Guidance and Supports
National Federation of State High School Associations: Guidance for State Associations to Consider in Re-opening High School Athletics and Other Activities
Please note this is National Guidance- NYS must follow NYS School Guidelines related to health exams.SHAPE America: School Reentry Considerations
A Blueprint for Back to School
This report from American Enterprise Institute sketches a framework for reopening schools that can help state policymakers, education and community leaders, and federal officials plan appropriately for reopening schools when public health officials signal it is safe to do so.Addressing Barriers to Learning | UCLA Mental Center InHealth In Schools
This newsletter from the UCLA Center for Mental Health In Schools is devoted the following to highlighting essential transition-back supports.Johns Hopkins University Reopening Resources for Schools (eSchool +initiative)
This site contains multiple resources for schools including:- Tracking State and National School Reopening Plans
- The Ethics Of K-12 School Reopening: Identifying and Addressing
- The Values At Stake Covid-19 School Reopening
- Checklist Examples of Equity-Oriented Reopening Policies
- School News Roundup Biweekly E-newsletter
A Plan To Safely Reopen America’s Schools And Communities | AFT
Provides guidance from the American Federation of Teachers for imagining a new normal for public education, public health, and our economy from the American Federation of Teachers.Mitigating COVID-19 Risk: How Schools Can Help Reopen the Economy Safely | Frontline Education
Explores the interconnected nature of health, education, and economics as well as what actions may be taken within the health management of K-12 districts to effectively navigate a prompt, safe, and effective new normal.Resources for Opening Schools | Learning Policy Institute
Provides resources on current research, data, tools, and school guidance, training, vaccinations, and testing to ensure all students receive a quality education.Page Updated 1/18/22
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Schools and school districts are not required to report vaccination status or information by employed teachers or other staff as detailed in Executive Order 202.95 at this time. Requesting staff vaccine status is a labor-management decision at the local school district level. Districts should consult their attorneys. Individual employees should consult their union. If vaccine status or any other personal health information is provided directly by the school staff member, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is not involved. HIPPA protects patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge by a health care provider. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects student records and does not pertain to school staff.
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Resources are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute or infer an endorsement of specific vendors or services by the NYSED|NYSCSH. NYSED|NYSCSH is not responsible for the content of the individual organization materials or external website links provided as resources.
