Information for Parents & Caregivers

If a child becomes ill with COVID-19 symptoms while at school/child care, the administration will follow guidelines to ensure that the child is separated from others and cared for. A parent or caregiver should pick them up as soon as possible.

1. Self-isolate immediately. Follow the guidance for individuals with symptoms [1].
2. If they are eligible [2], or have access to a rapid test, get tested.
   • If the rapid test is negative and they are still showing symptoms, a second rapid test should be completed in 24-48 hours.
3. Notify close contacts [3] that your child has symptoms [1]
4. Follow the school/childcare screening tool [4] results for returning to school/childcare.

The Government of Canada website [5] provide information on how to care for a child who needs to self-isolate, which may include a child who has tested positive, has symptoms [1] of COVID-19, or a household member of someone with COVID-19.

For medical or health advice, contact your health care provider or Health Connect Ontario [6] toll-free at 8-1-1.

If a child is having difficulty breathing or develops severe symptoms, call 9-1-1.

• When calling an ambulance, tell the dispatcher that the child has/may have COVID-19. If a child is going to the hospital in a private vehicle, call ahead and let the hospital know they have/may have COVID-19.

For information about testing and quarantining after international travel visit the Government of Canada website [7].

• PCR testing is available only to individuals who meet specific criteria outlined by the Ministry of Health [2].
• The Ministry of Education has provided publicly funded schools and licensed child care centres with rapid antigen test kits for symptomatic students, children, and staff. Students and staff will receive a rapid antigen test kit proactively, for at-home use if they develop symptoms.
• Parents/guardians can choose if their child participates in this additional testing option. If participating, testing is to be completed at home.
  • If a symptomatic individual (staff or student) chooses not to participate in this testing option, they would be presumed positive and would be required to isolate and follow the updated guidance [1].

No. A positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19 and does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.

If you have access to PCR or RAT testing and test positive, please follow the guidance for Individuals Who Have Tested Positive. [8]

Instructions for how to use a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) are provided with the test itself; however, the following instructional videos provide clear visual demonstrations on how to perform a RAT.

• How to test your child [9] Rapid Response™ video (English)
• Rapid antigen testing for asymptomatic students [10] video
• Tests antigéniques rapides pour les élèves asymptomatiques [11] vidéo

Visit the links below for further direction related to the specific test you are using:

• BTNX Rapid Response™ [12] (English)
• BTNX Rapid Response [13] (French)
• SD Biosensor [14] (English)
• SD Biosensor [15] (French)
• Trimedic FaStep® [16] (English)
• Trimedic FaStep® [17] (French)

Fact Sheets in Other Languages: 

For fact sheets in other languages visit the Ministry of Health website [18].

• If the first rapid antigen test (RAT) is negative, complete a second test within 24-48 hours of the first test.
  • If two consecutive RATs, separated by 24-48 hours, are both negative, the symptomatic individual is less likely to have COVID-19 infection. The individual should isolate until symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms are present).
• If symptoms persist / worsen, individuals are encouraged to seek advice from Health Connect Ontario [6] or a health care provider

If you have access to PCR or Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) and your child has tested positive, they must self-isolate [19]. Depending on vaccination status, household members may also be required to self-isolate.  Follow public health guidance [8] for details on how long to isolate and additional precautions to be taken.

If you do not have access to testing and your child has symptoms [1], assume that they may have the virus and have them self-isolate. Please follow the guidance for Individuals Who Have Symptoms. [8]

The below definitions are referenced in the COVID-19 School/Childcare Screening [4]. It is important to follow the guidance provided based on the result of your screening.

• Fully vaccinated: Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after getting a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine series. You are also considered to be fully vaccinated if you have received:
  • One or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada at least 14 days ago, or
  • Three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada with the final dose received at least 14 days ago.
• Symptoms: The online COVID-19 School/Childcare Screening [4] lists ten symptoms to screen for each day. The symptoms are: fever/chills, cough, difficulty breathing, decrease or loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, headache, feeling very tired, muscle aches/joint pain, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.
• Positive for COVID-19: For the purposes of daily screening, an individual is considered to be positive for COVID-19 if they have:
  • Received a positive Rapid Antigen or PCR test result; OR
  • Any of the following symptoms of COVID-19: fever/chills, cough, difficulty breathing, decrease or loss of taste or smell; OR
  • Two or more of the following symptoms: sore throat, runny nose/nasal congestion, headache, feeling very tired, muscle aches/joint pain, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.