Management of COVID-19 Suspected Cases in Schools

To manage COVID-19 suspected cases in schools:

• Dedicate a room/construct a temporary shed which can serve as a waiting area where suspected cases can remain until they are examined.
• Once a person has been identified as being suspected of having COVID-19, the following measures must be taken swiftly:
• The school Health Focal person must notify the HEW and/or the nearby health center.
• The suspected case should stay in the waiting area for not longer than 2 hours.
• The suspected case’s desk/work space should be disinfected with 0.5% chlorine solution.
• Assess if the community case definition is fulfilled and check the severity of the symptoms.
• If mild symptoms only, then he/she shall be sent back home and must remain at home until they fully recover.
• If serious symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain, then the Health Focal person should consult with the HEW and the RRT from the nearest health center.
• Contacts identified by the suspected case or identified themselves as having had close contact (less than 2 m distance without proper use of masks) shall quarantine at home for 14 days.