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Thank you to all the parents, students, and staff in doing your part to keep everyone healthy in school. We are still experiencing cases within our Lewiston-Altura communities, as well as within our school district. Please continue to stay vigilant in following our Safe Learning Plan to keep our students and staff as healthy and safe as possible. We are asking every parent to conduct a "Daily Home Screening" for your child(ren). COVID-19 Symptoms COVID-19 Symptoms-espanol If your child has ANY of the symptoms listed, please keep them home for the day. When you call in your child's absence, please let us know the symptoms they are staying home with. If your child develop symptoms of illness during the school day, they may also be sent home. It is very important that you keep the school notified of any phone number changes and update emergency contact information. Please also have a plan in place for who will be able to come and pick them up as soon as possible. If your child has a new onset and/or worsening cough (not related to another known illness), fever of 100.4, difficulty breathing, or new loss of taste or smell, OR two or more of the following symptoms; sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, excessive fatigue, new onset of severe headache, new onset of nasal congestion or runny nose, they will need to stay home for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or have a negative test result for COVID-19. Where do I receive COVID Testing? You can contact your primary provider for further information or visit one of the following sites. ** Testing Options at School (while supplies are available) All students in the Lewiston-Altura School District are eligible for free Covid testing as funded through the Minnesota Department of Education. This year we do not have any on-site testing options, but do have OTC tests that we can provide to families. If you would like a test kit sent home with your child, please let us know. Older children can self administer their test at school with parent permission.
BinaxNow OTC This is an at home testing option for students who are showing symptoms of COVID-19. This test is an individual, diagnostic, rapid antigen test that utilizes a nasal swab. Results are available within 15 minutes of processing. This self-test is recommended for children as young as two years old when samples are collected by an adult, and for all people 15 and older if they are collecting the sample themselves. All results must be reported to the school within 24 hours of picking up a test. Please note that if there is a negative test result but your child continues to have symptoms, a confirmatory PCR test is highly recommended. Even with a negative test result, a student who is experiencing symptoms should not return to school until symptoms have improved and the student has been fever free for 24 hours. If you would like to pick up a test kit, please contact the school office. **HyVee Pharmacy-multiple locations More information and registration found here: https://www.hy-vee.com/my-pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing Please ensure you are registering to complete the correct COVID-19 test prior to scheduling the appointment. Please note the PCR test is the most accurate COVID-19 test. **Walgreens Pharmacy-multiple locations More information and registration found here: https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_vanity_testing Please ensure you are registering to complete the correct COVID-19 test prior to scheduling the appointment. Please note the PCR test is the most accurate COVID-19 test. **Olmsted Medical Center Patients should call the COVID-19 RN Triage Line at 507-292-7266 to discuss symptoms/exposure/schedule appointment. **Mayo Clinic Patients should call the COVID-19 Nurse Line at 507-293-9525 or else call their Primary Care Provider’s office. **Winona Health All testing is now done through Urgent Care Clinic on a walk in basis at Winona Health (855 Mankato Avenue). Lewiston-Altura Safe Learning PlanWhat if a parent or child test positive for COVID-19? (updated 8/12/2022)Any person receiving testing must notify myself at mmacpher@lewalt.k12.mn.us. ; I will handle all COVID related information for the district. A positive test result requires that a person be out of school/work for at least 5 days from the date symptoms started AND at least 24 hours after the end of the fever (without use of medication) AND improvement of symptoms. (Day of test/symptoms is Day 0, isolate for 5 full days, eligible to return on day 6). If returning on day 6, HIGHLY RECOMMEND wearing a mask PROPERLY at all times while on school grounds during days 7-10. Household Contacts All household contacts of a positive case are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to wear a mask properly for 10 days as well. If the household contact develops symptoms, s/he must test before returning to school. This is regardless of vaccination status. What to do if you have COVID19 What to do if you have COVID19-Spanish Isolation Guidelines for Person who Tests Positive  What if a student/staff has symptoms but tests negative? If a person was tested due to their own symptoms and tests negative, s/he can return to school/work when symptoms have improved and no fever for at least 24 hours. What is a student/staff has symptoms but is diagnosed with a different illness (strep throat, norovirus, etc.) from their medical provider? If another diagnosis is identified, the the guidelines for that illness will be followed. Stay home until symptoms improve and exclusion guidelines have been met (generally 24 hours after starting medication and/or 24 hours after symptoms improve). In this case, household contacts do NOT need to stay home. Hygiene Students and staff should wash/sanitize their hands: upon arrival, when loading a bus, before and after eating, before and after using playground equipment, after using restroom, before and after using library/computer/common supplies. How to wash your hands How to wash your hands-espanol Cleaning hands with sanitizer Cleaning hands with sanitizer-espanol Cleaning Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned daily by custodial staff. This has been a very stressful time. Please take time for your family to do things that relieve stress. Students are affected as well. If they need further assistance, please do not hesitate to send them to our school counselors. Tips to maintain mental well-being Tips and Resources for Parents and Children How COVID-19 Spreads in the Community COVID-19 Vaccinations All persons age 6 months and older are NOW eligible to receive a FREE COVID-19 vaccination. Those ages 6 months-17 must receive the Pfizer vaccine. Booster doses are now available. Appointments are readily available now, so contact one of the following options to schedule your appointment. Hy-Vee Get Your COVID Vaccine at Select Hy-Vee Pharmacy Locations Winona Health Primary Care on 2nd Floor Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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