Coronavirus (COVID-19) 3/13/2020, updated 9/1/2022

We know that there is a lot of mis-information being spread about coronavirus (COVID-19) and we want to be your source of what you need to know.

Updated Information regarding COVID19 and children from the CDC available here. We would like to assure you that your family's health and safety is our highest priority. While we do know that most who contract the virus will not experience severe symptoms, we do need to work as a community to protect those around us that are vulnerable to serious complications. 

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that are common in people and animals. They cause a variety of illnesses, most commonly what we refer to as the common cold. COVID-19 is a new coronavirus strain that has not previously been seen in humans, so more people will contract this strain due to a lack of immunity.

How do I or my child get infected?

• 
  COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including people who are physically near a person (within about 6 feet) or have direct contact with that person.


• 
  When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. These droplets can range in size from large droplets (some of which are visible) to smaller droplets.


• 
  Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth.


• 
  As the respiratory droplets travel further from the person with COVID-19, the concentration of these droplets decreases. Larger droplets fall out of the air due to gravity. Smaller droplets spread apart in the air.

COVID-10 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission:

• 
  It is now thought that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 infect others who are more than 6 feet away.  These transmissions occured within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation, and the infected person was breathing heavily, for example when singing or exercising.

What are the symptoms?

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  Fever


• 
  Cough


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  Shortness of breath


• 
  Loss of taste or smell


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  Runny nose/congestion


• 
  Abdominal pain/vomiting, diarrhea


• 
  Distinct rash

When to call the doctor?

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  If your child is having shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of taste/smell, or fever > 4 days, contact us.


• 
  If your child is having severe respiratory distress, go to the ER immediately.

Should I be worried?

Most children and young adults who contract the virus will have mild symptoms and can recover on their own at home. However, there are rare, but serious complications during the acute phase of the illness. COVID vaccination has been shown to decrease your child's risk of developing one of these serious complications. In addition, emerging data shows COVID vaccination decreases the risk of long-term complications such as Long COVID, POTS, chronic respiratory illnesses similar to Asthma, and certain auto-immune diseases (Diabetes, Crohn's, JRA, Lupus) after contracting COVID.

Unfortunately, elderly people (especially over the age of 70) and people who have heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious infections. 

**Children seem to be less vulnerable to severe infection. A review of nearly 45,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in China report that only 2% were children (under 19 years old) and there were no reported deaths in children under 10. 

What are some practical tips for reducing spread of all viral illnesses?

1. 
   WASH you hands. Good handwashing is key!


2. 
   WEAR a mask


3. 
   WATCH YOUR DISTANCE. Maintain social distancing.


4. 
   Stay home if you feel ill and let your body recover. Children should not return to school/daycare until they have been fever free (without use of medications) for 24 hours, 10 days past onset of symptoms, and symptoms improving in order to protect the teachers and other children in the class. You can read more about it here.


5. 
   Healthy eating, exercise and adequate sleep are all cornerstones of staying healthy!


6. 
   Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Can you test for COVID-19?

If your child currently has:

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  Fever


• 
  Cough


• 
  Shortness of breath


• 
  Loss of taste or smell

• 
  Runny nose/congestion


• 
  Abdominal pain, nausea, vomting, diarrhea


• 
  Sore Throat


• 
  Headache


• 
  Striking rash

• 
  Been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient

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  Underlying chronic medical condition (asthma, diabetes, congenital heart disease, immunosuppressed)

How can I help?