Child with Symptoms & When to Return to Child Care or School

Assessing for symptoms of COVID-19 should focus on evaluating what is new, worsening, or different from the child’s baseline health status or usual state. Symptoms associated with known chronic health conditions or related to other known causes/conditions should not be considered unless new, different or worsening. 

You should talk to your health care provider about chronic conditions that might appear to be COVID-19 symptoms and communicate this to the child care provider or school. 

Follow the directions in Ontario's COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool or at Ontario.ca/Exposed. Helpful flowcharts are also available from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Anyone who is sick or has any signs of illness that are not linked to a known condition (such as allergies) should stay home, even if the symptoms are not COVID-related. They should seek assessment from their health care provider if symptoms worsen. Once the non-COVID symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if the symptoms affect the digestive system) and the child feels well enough, they can go back to school.

The provincial government has updated the criteria for who is eligible for a lab-based PCR test in order to preserve resources for high-risk settings. An elementary or secondary student or education staff who has received a PCR self-collection kit through their school (if available) is eligible.

Rapid antigen testing may also be used to test people with symptoms to find out the likelihood that their symptoms are related to COVID-19. Children who test positive on a rapid antigen test, do not need a PCR test to confirm the result. Children who test negative on a rapid antigen test should perform a second test 24 to 48 hours later if available.

Anyone with symptom(s) of COVID-19 or anyone who has tested positive on a rapid test should assume that they have COVID-19 and should follow the directions in Ontario's COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool or at Ontario.ca/Exposed. Helpful flowcharts are also available from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

For more information on rapid antigen tests, including how to use them and what to do based on the results, see the following video as well as the COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing Information for Families (also available in French):

Rapid tests may be available through schools, workplaces and community locations, such as pharmacies. They may also be available through Indigenous organizations.

It depends on age and vaccination status. Follow the directions in Ontario's COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool or at Ontario.ca/Exposed. Helpful flowcharts are also available from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Follow ALL directions on the results page of the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool, including the next steps, instructions for household members and when to return to school.