According to the CDC, fewer than 10% of COVID-19 cases in the United States have been among children and adolescents ages 5–17.
Although outbreaks do occur in school settings and children can transmit COVID-19 to others, multiple studies have shown that transmission within school settings is typically lower than — or at least similar to — levels of community transmission when prevention strategies are in place in schools.
When parents help their children follow the prevention strategies below, transmission rates for COVID-19 can be lowered.
These strategies include the following:
• Facial masking
• Physical distancing
• Handwashing
• Respiratory etiquette (cover cough, sneeze, throw tissue into trash can)
• Using hand sanitizer
• Staying home when sick
• Getting tested for COVID-19
• Getting vaccinated
• Avoiding the sharing of items with your family and friends (such as food, drinks, devices, pens, pencils, etc.)
• Bringing own water bottle
• Providing consistent training, education, messaging
• Monitoring your child for the signs and symptoms of COVID-19
• Preparedness (contact tracing, isolation, quarantine criteria)
• Contacting your school nurse if you have questions or concerns
For more information about health and safety strategies at MPS and when to keep your child home from school, please visit the FAQ web page on the MPS Roadmap to Readiness website.