Central Union High School

Guidance for K-12 Schools and Child Care Settings to Mitigate the Spread of Communicable Diseases, 2023-2024 School Year was updated May 22, 2024, by the California Department of Public Health Public (CDPH), in consultation with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the California Department of Education (CDE).

The guidance is intended to support safe, in-person learning and care in K-12 schools and child care by building on the lessons learned and multi-layer strategies used to manage COVID-19. The document provides a general prevention framework to reduce the spread of multiple types of infections, including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus.

This guidance provides general recommendations and does not replace or revise existing laws or requirements for schools and child care. The approach is guided by the principle that safe, in-person learning and child care are critical to the well-being and development of children in California.

The Imperial County Public Health Department regularly updates its website to reflect state guidance on schools and provides county-level guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Difference Between Flu and COVID-19

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory illnesses, but different viruses cause them. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by symptoms alone because some of the symptoms are the same. If you are concerned, see your primary doctor so you can be tested for theflu and COVID-19 separately.

More ways to protect yourself and others

Stay up to date with immunizations recommended for you.
* For most people, that means getting a current flu vaccine and a current COVID-19 vaccine. Find a vaccine at vaccines.gov.
* CDC recommends that all infants receive protection from one of these tools to protect them from getting very sick with RSV.
* An RSV vaccine is given to the mother during pregnancy
* An RSV immunization is given to infants and some older babies
* Adults 60 years and older should talk to their healthcare provider about whether a single dose of RSV vaccine is right for them.

Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.

Take steps for cleaner air, for example, by bringing in as much fresh air as possible, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

If you get sick, stay home and away from others to prevent spread.

Seek health care for possible treatment if you get sick and have risk factors for severe illness.

Other tools you can use are masks and distancing.