Do you have a general question for the COVID Response Team? Email us at staffreport@rwps.org.
Q. What’s the difference between isolation and quarantine?
These terms mean two very different things under Red Wing Public Schools’ COVID-19 protocols.
Isolation applies to someone who is positive for COVID-19.
Quarantine applies to people who have been in close contact with a positive person but have not developed symptoms. The district is not quarantining students or staff at this time.
Q. Why should I get my student vaccinated?
Mayo Clinic explains in a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl09Xzowlj0
Q. Is there a food service plan in place for quarantined students?
Yes. Students who must isolate due to COVID-19 infection may still receive free breakfast and lunch for instructional days. Parents/guardians first must complete and submit this form. Families will be notified and then may pick up meals between 7-9 a.m. on Wednesdays at Red Wing High, through School Door #40 (back of school by loading docks).
Families can learn more on the School Menu webpage.
Q. Where can my family get tested for COVID-19?
The District has free COVID testing kits available to be used when you need them. Have your child stop by their school nurse's office or ask the nurse to tuck a kit into your child's backpack.
Please test a household member if someone exhibits COVID-19 symptoms. Test the person twice -- 24 hours apart -- following instructions. If the symptomatic person is a student in the District, they must take both tests in the kit and have two negative results before returning to school.
The District also have Vault PCR tests available. Contact a building nurse for information.
Other COVID-19 testing options are available to Minnesotans. Please visit COVID-19 Testing - Minnesota Dept. of Health (state.mn.us) for more information on Minnesota's free community testing sites, no-cost COVID-19 test at home, or locations at a local pharmacy, clinic or hospital.
Q: A household member has COVID. Can I still send my child to school?
A: Yes. The District does not require students in grades E-12 to quarantine. However, infected students must isolate for 10 days.
Note: These protocols may change if COVID-19 transmission levels escalate or the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health adjust their recommendations.
Q: My child said, “I don’t feel well today.” Should she stay home?
A: Yes.
The ill child should be tested for COVID-19 immediately or stay home for 10 days.
Know the symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Everyone in the household should carefully monitor for symptoms.