COVID-19: Information for Schools and Daycares

DCHD Guidance

Updated Quarantine Recommendations for Persons Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19 (PDF) 3/12/2021


Framework Addendum: Pathway to Safely Return to
In-person Learning for K-12 School Administrators on COVID-19 Mitigation and Testing 2/22/2021 (PDF)


Updated Quarantine Recommendations for Persons Living, Learning, or Working in DuPage County 12/11/20 (PDF).


Confirmatory COVID-19 Testing by Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR in DuPage County, 11/2/2020 (PDF)

Confirmatory RT-PCR testing is offered at no cost at these community-based testing sites:  COVID-19 Testing in DuPage County and State of Illinois Community-Based Testing Sites

COVID-19 Return to School Framework 8/28/20 (PDF)

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise locally, the Return to School Framework recommends that school officials review and consider the level of disease activity in their communities as they make decisions about if and when to shift between learning models this school year. DCHD has been working closely with the DuPage ROE and school district administrators in DuPage County to help inform plans for safely reopening schools this fall.

NOTE: DCHD supports the decision-making authority and discretion of Superintendents in DuPage County to determine the appropriate learning plans, whether remote or in-person, and implementation for their school district. DCHD has worked collaboratively with Superintendents to equip them with the public health guidance and data necessary to aid and inform their decision-making process during any transmission level. DCHD is not able to and does not have the authority to endorse the safety of any specific decision made by Superintendents, within or outside of the recommendations provided in our framework. As stated in our framework, we encourage DuPage Superintendents to consider individual school-level factors such as case and outbreak activity, specific disease trends and distribution, absenteeism among students and staff within a school, ability of the school to implement key mitigation strategies, and alternate remote learning site options and safety protocols when making the decision for their school community.

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DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics 

DuPage County COVID-19 Community Transmission Level: SUBSTANTIAL
Week 13, 03/28/2021-04/03/2021

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Archive of DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics

2021
Week 1, 01/03/2021-01/09/2021Week 2, 01/10/2021-01/16/2021
Week 3, 01/17/2021-01/23/2021 Week 4, 01/24/2021-01/30/2021
Week 5, 01/31/2021-02/06/2021Week 6, 02/07/2021-02/13/2021
Week 7, 02/14/2021-02/20/2021Week 8, 02/21/2021-02/27/2021
Week 9, 02/28/2021-03/06/2021Week 10, 03/07/2021-03/13/2021
Week 11, 03/14/2021-03/20/2021
Week 12, 03/21/2021-03/27/2021


2020
Week 34, 8/16/2020-8/22/2020Week 35, 8/23/2020-8/29/2020
Week 36, 8/30/2020-9/5/2020Week 37, 9/6/2020-9/12/2020
Week 38, 9/13/2020-9/19/2020Week 39, 9/20/2020-9/26/2020 
Week 40, 9/27/2020-10/3/2020Week 41, 10/4/2020 - 10/10/2020
Week 42, 10/11/2020 - 10/17/2020Week 43, 10/18/2020 - 10/24/2020
Week 44, 10/25/2020-10/31/2020Week 45, 11/1/2020-11/7/2020
Week 46, 11/8/2020-11/14/2020Week 47, 11/15/2020-11/21/2020
Week 48, 11/22/2020-11/28/2020Week 49, 11/29/2020-12/05/2020
Week 50 12/06/2020-12/12/2020Week 51, 12/13/2020-12/19/2020
Week 52, 12/20/2020-12/26/2020Week 53, 12/27/2020-01/02/2021


Letter to Schools and Childcare Centers Regarding Guidance and Resources for Schools and Child Care Centers 9/1/20 (PDF)

COVID-19 Guidance and Resources For Schools and Child Care Centers 8/31/20 (PDF)

DuPage County school professionals with reports or questions about COVID-19 cases or close contacts are requested to contact the DCHD COVID-19 Education Team by email at [email protected] or by calling (630) 221-7928 (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or (630) 682-7400 after hours, so 1) specific situations may be evaluated confidentially on a case-by-case basis and 2) to ensure public health recommendations are provided and followed alongside resource referrals as needed.

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started

This toolkit is designed for employers of essential workers. It will help your organization educate employees about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns.

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Protect Yourself, Protect Your Family, Protect DuPage: COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Outreach Resources Toolkit (PDF)

This toolkit is a comprehensive collection of various digital educational materials and messages to share with your teachers, students and families about the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Stay Safe DuPage: COVID-19 Education and Outreach Resources Toolkit (PDF)

This toolkit is a comprehensive collection of various digital educational materials and messages to share with your teachers, students and families to slow the spread of COVID-19.

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Stop the Spread of COVID-19: Wear a Mask (PDF)

Information for school staff and students about the importance of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in school. Also available in Spanish (PDF). 

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Information for Child Care Centers

Child Care Reopening (PDF), May 21, 2020
Child Care Reopening Spanish (PDF), May 21, 2020

IDPH Guidance 

Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools 

On February 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for operating schools (Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Mitigation).  DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) issued a “Framework Addendum” on February 22, 2021 to provide local interpretation for consideration by DuPage County school officials and communities.  As a result of the CDC’s update, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have revised the public health requirements for schools and associated guidance in these guidelines.  This joint guidance from IDPH and ISBE was issued on March 9, 2021, which makes important updates to the essential, layered mitigation strategies that facilitate the safe return to in-person instruction. IDPH (along with its sister agency, ISBE) is issuing this guidance under its authority to protect the public health in an effort to restrict and suppress the continued spread of COVID-19 and allow students across the State of Illinois to safely transition back to school. This updated joint guidance prevails in the event that any of it is in conflict with guidance previously issued by IDPH and ISBE.  DCHD is supportive of this updated joint IDPH/ISBE school guidance, and will not be issuing further interpretation or local guidance; resources outlined in the DCHD-issued February 22, 2021 Framework Addendum may be applied to support and optimize schools’ implementation of the IDPH/ISBE guidance.

Additional Guidance was released for schools as they prepare for the start of the new school year. This guidance offers a detailed look at how schools should handle various situations, such as if a student gets sick, or when to close down a building. As of August 12, 2020 a list of FAQs and answers has been provided. 
Governor Pritzker announced guidance for youth and adult recreational sports, including, but not limited to, school-based sports (IHSA & IESA), travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs. Please see the Sports Safety Guidance for more detailed information.
A gradual approach for reopening child care has been developed in order to reopen child care programs in a prudent, safe way that recognizes the complex new health, safety, and social distancing practices that providers will need to implement. Read the full Reopening Child Care In Illinois (PDF) guidelines.
The intent of the Guidance for the Return to Campus for Illinois Community Colleges is to assist all community colleges in the development of plans that ensure the health, safety and support of our students while continuing to provide high-quality instruction.
Schools Guidance 
Licensed Day Care Guidance


ISBE Guidance

Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools 

On February 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for operating schools (Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Mitigation).  DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) issued a “Framework Addendum” on February 22, 2021 to provide local interpretation for consideration by DuPage County school officials and communities.  As a result of the CDC’s update, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have revised the public health requirements for schools and associated guidance in these guidelines.  This joint guidance from IDPH and ISBE was issued on March 9, 2021, which makes important updates to the essential, layered mitigation strategies that facilitate the safe return to in-person instruction. IDPH (along with its sister agency, ISBE) is issuing this guidance under its authority to protect the public health in an effort to restrict and suppress the continued spread of COVID-19 and allow students across the State of Illinois to safely transition back to school. This updated joint guidance prevails in the event that any of it is in conflict with guidance previously issued by IDPH and ISBE.  DCHD is supportive of this updated joint IDPH/ISBE school guidance, and will not be issuing further interpretation or local guidance; resources outlined in the DCHD-issued February 22, 2021 Framework Addendum may be applied to support and optimize schools’ implementation of the IDPH/ISBE guidance.

This document is Part Three of the Transition Advisory Workgroup’s recommendations for transitioning to in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. View the full guidance (PDF). A list of FAQs is also available.
ISBE and IDPH release guidance for summer school and other activities allowed in Phase 3 of Restore Illinois plan. This guidance allows limited in-person summer school with extensive social distancing, cleaning, and use of personal protective equipment. View the full guidance (PDF).
Considerations for Closing the 2019-20 School Year & Summer 2020 (PDF), May 15, 2020 


IHSA Guidance

Governor Pritzker announced guidance for youth and adult recreational sports, including, but not limited to, school-based sports (IHSA & IESA), travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs. Please see the guidance released July 29 for youth and adult recreational sports document (PDF) for more detailed information.
As a result of the Governor’s Restore Illinois Plan, as regions reach Phase 4 on June 26th or after, IHSA member schools are permitted to begin use of voluntary summer contact days. IHSA Phase 4 Return to Play Plan (PDF).
IHSA Stage 1 of Return to Play (PDF), June 6, 2020
IHSA COVID-19 Update, June 5, 2020


IBHE Guidance

The Higher Education in Illinois—Safely Launching Academic Year 2020 (PDF) document represents the set of principles and guidance for Illinois higher education institutions as they face the unprecedented challenge of reopening this fall in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. FAQs


CDC Guidance 

Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Decision Tool
Public Health Guidance for Community-Related Exposure (CDC)
School Reopening Decision Tool (PDF)
Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare and Respond to COVID-19
Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19