Stronger Together - Recovery and Reopening Schools | Santa Clara County Office of Education

In California, COVID-19 response efforts remain a public health priority. The policies and priorities are now focused on protecting those most at risk for serious illness and maintain standard health practices to prevent other endemic respiratory viral infections. The state’s SMARTER Plan, which looks at where the state has been and draws on lessons learned from our collective experiences, will ensure a level of operational preparedness to support communities and appropriately respond to future outbreaks.

SCCOE will continue updating this page as needed to provide information from community partners.

youth vaccination SCCOE REOPENING FAQS (SCHOOLS/DISTRICTS) SCCOE Covid-19 Concerns Portal

Latest News

Updates & Resources

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for Local Health Jurisdictions and the General Public

Updates as of January 9, 2024: COVID-19 isolation recommendations move away from five days of isolation and instead focus on clinical symptoms to determine when to end isolation.

CDPH Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools and Child Care Settings (2023-2024 School Year)

Santa Clara Public Health Department COVID-19 Guidance for Schools and Childcare

COVID-19 Resources:

COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines, & Masking

Vaccines

Visit MyTurn to find COVID-19 vaccine services in your area. Treatment is available through providers and some pharmacies.

If you do not have a healthcare provider or health insurance, you can still get tested, vaccinated, and treated for free. Find a Clinic

Testing

Testing Guidance from CDPH

Testing kit information and programs can be found at www.COVID.gov

Masking
Those who test positive should mask indoors when around others during the full 10 days following the symptom onset date (or positive test date if no symptoms). However, confirmed cases may remove their mask sooner than 10 full days after two sequential negative antigen tests at least one day apart. If test results are positive, the person may still be infectious, and should continue wearing a mask and wait at least one day before taking another test up to Day 10. All persons wearing masks should optimize mask fit and filtration.
When and Why Wear a Mask (Benefits and Tips)

Updated Isolation Guidelines

On January 9, 2024, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released its

to reflect updates to its testing and isolation guidance that move to a symptom-based exclusion approach.

What is the impact of this COVID Isolation Guidance update to schools and childcare settings?

The updated guidance will allow individuals to follow a more symptom-based approach as they usually do for other illnesses.
These updates impact Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations and the requirements related to isolating COVID-19 cases and testing of close contacts. To assist employers, Cal/OSHA has updated their COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations – What Employers Need to Know and their COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations FAQs webpage.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Near You

My COVID-19 Vaccine Record

You can now access a digital copy of your vaccination record if you got vaccinated in California. The digital version or the card you were given at the time of your vaccination are valid for proof of vaccination.

Get your COVID-19 Vaccine Record

COVID-19 Testing Resources

Where to get Testing Kits

As of June 1, 2023, ordering free testing kits through USPS.com and COVIDtests.gov programs have been suspended and are no longer accepting orders.

At-home tests are available for sale around the U.S. Check local retailers and pharmacies to locate availability.
Take your MediCal or Medicare Card to the prescription drop-off counter at a pharmacy for 8 free tests.
Check with your insurance plan for 8 free (or reimbursed) at-home tests per month.
No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured - search for a location.

At-Home COVID-19 Testing Kits Expired? Check Again

The California Department of Public Health endorses the emergency use of over-the-counter COVID-19 Tests beyond their FDA-authorized expiration.

An extended expiration date means the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.

Check if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test kits has been extended.

Additional Testing Resources

Testing Framework for K–12 Schools for the 2022–2023 School Year - California

This document aims to inform California's K-12 schools of COVID-19 testing strategies for the 2022-2023 school year. It is intended to support planning processes for safe in-person learning, as disease management is an essential priority to maintain student well-being and development.

Updates as of May 23, 2023:
References to CDC COVID-19 Community Levels (retired on May 11, 2023) have been replaced with references to California COVID-19 data sources.

www.cdph.ca.gov

If you feel sick: Test! Test again 1-2 days later if the first test is negative.*

Even if you DON'T feel sick, test in the following situations:

After Exposure:	Test when you find out AND repeat testing every 2 days for a total of 3 tests.
After Travel or Large Gathering:	Test when you return AND repeat testing every 2 days for a total of 3 tests.
BEFORE events or visiting:	Take a test just before events or visiting high-risk people (elderly or people with weakened immunity).

* CDPH Isolation and Quarantine | ** CDC Travel Guidance | *** CDPH Updated Testing Guidance

Masking - Tips & resources

Regardless of the COVID-19 community levels, CDPH recommends wearing a mask:

Around others if you have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat),
If you’ve had significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, wear a mask for 10 days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, see guidance for mask-wearing in the CDPH Guidance for Isolation and Quarantine of the General Public.

Consider wearing a mask in indoor crowded indoor public settings that may have poor ventilation, areas of public transportation, and transportation hubs. When choosing to wear a mask, ensure your mask provides the best fit and filtration (respirators like N95, KN95, and KF94 are best).

* CAL OSHA still requires employees who are in close contact to test within 3-5 days and wear a mask for 10 days.

COVID-19 Public Health Resources

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department works to prevent disease and injury, promote healthy lifestyles, create healthy environments, and advocate for policy and systems changes that advance department priorities.

Santa Clara County Public Health Department COVID-19 Page

Latest Resources from the California Department of Public Health to protect and improve the health of all Californians.

CDPH COVID-19 Page 2023-24 School Year K-12 Guidance

The official website for California’s COVID-19 Response with a hub for key resources and information related to COVID-19 and schools.

Safe Schools for All Hub K-12 School Guidance & Testing Framework

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), better known as Cal/OSHA, protects and improves the health and safety of working men and women in California and the safety of passengers riding on elevators, amusement rides, and tramways.

Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance & Resources

Food Distribution Resources for Youth

There are a variety of free or reduced price food programs to help children and families who have been impacted by COVID-19. Many services are available to all community members regardless of insurance status, ability to pay, or immigration status.

City of San Jose

Second Harvest Food Bank

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

Find a Food Bank

@svstrongfood

California COVID-19

Education Case and Contact Reporting

Please review the Santa Clara County Case and Contact Guidance to report each diagnosed case of COVID-19 in a child or student attending your site and for each diagnosed case of COVID-19 in a staff member working at your site. For more information on when to use the SPOT portal for outbreak tracking and instructions for filling out the form, click here

Santa Clara County School Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT)

Webinars, Slides, Videos, and Resources

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COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Schools

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