A Student is Showing Signs of COVID-19 and Needs to be Isolated: What Do I Do? 

Quick Guide for School Nurses or School COVID-19 POC(s)

CS 319604-B 12/10/2020

cdc.gov/coronavirus

1. WEAR A MASK. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) IS NEEDED 

IF UNABLE TO KEEP AT LEAST 6 FEET FROM THE STUDENT. 

2. Isolate the Student 

3. Talk to the Student

4. Call parent(s), guardian(s), or caregiver(s)

• When providing care for anyone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, personnel should wear 

appropriate PPE, including gloves, a gown, a face shield or goggles, and an N95 respirator (or equivalent). 

If an N-95 is not available, wear a surgical mask.

• Determine if the student can walk to the already identified isolation room/area on their own or if they 

need to be escorted or assisted.

• Assess their care needs and make the student comfortable while they are in the isolation room/area.

• Limit the number of people in health offices and isolation rooms. Try to keep the door closed.

• If there is more than one person in the isolation room/area, make sure everyone has a mask on and 

keep them at least 6 feet apart. 

• If possible, ask when and where the student started to feel sick (e.g., Did they start to feel sick at home or at 

school? What time of day was it? How did they feel a few days ago?). Note: Depending on student’s age and 

cognitive ability, it may be necessary to modify these questions.

• If possible, ask if the student can remember who they came into contact with throughout the day?* 

(e.g., Who did they sit next to? Were they within 6 feet (2 arm lengths) of other students?). 

Note: Depending on student’s age and cognitive ability, it may be necessary to modify these questions.

• If the child has one of the following emergency warning signs: Trouble breathing, persistent pain or 

pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or other signs of 

serious or life threatening illness, get emergency medical care first, then call the parent(s), guardian(s), 

or caregiver(s).

• If non-emergency, call the parent(s), guardian(s), or caregiver(s) and calmly explain that their child is not 

feeling well and may have symptoms of COVID-19, and should be picked up from school.

• Recommend that the parent(s), guardian(s), or caregiver(s) contact the child’s healthcare provider for 

an evaluation and testing for COVID-19.

5. Clean and Disinfect Isolation Room/Area 

6. Talk to your administrator and teacher(s)

• After the parent(s), guardian(s), or caregiver(s) pick up the child or emergency care is coordinated, 

close off areas used by the ill student. When possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and 

disinfecting. The virus can remain in the air for some time, so waiting allows for the amount of virus in the 

air to decrease. If you cannot wait 24 hours to clean, be sure to wear PPE when cleaning. If possible, open 

outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. 

• Work with your school administration and staff to document and identify potential close contacts* to 

identify who should quarantine and to support contact tracing efforts by the local health department. 

Note: assure actions are in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

*Anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.