If your child gets sick, notify their doctor and school immediately. Your pediatrician will help determine if your kid should get tested based on their symptoms, likelihood of exposure and the infection rates and availability of tests in your area. The CDC advises that school-age children be prioritized for testing if:
- They have signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
- They have had close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a total of 15 minutes or more) with a person with confirmed or probable infection.
- They have increased likelihood for exposure.
- They have no symptoms but have had close contact with a person with confirmed or probable infection.
“If there’s any opportunity to test, that would always be better than just isolating the child at home for 10 days,” says Shapiro.
When it’s an option, pursue a testing site where you can get the results back in a day or two. If the test is negative, your kid will be able return to school and/or other outside activities more quickly. If it’s positive, contact tracers can get in touch earlier with others who may have been exposed.