• The NYSED recommends that schools follow the updated CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance released in March 2024 for COVID-19 prevention and to work with their Local Health Department if local cases are high. NYSED currently has no plans to issue additional specific school COVID-19 guidance. The updated CDC guidance utilizes a unified approach to addressing risks from common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV. The recommendations were updated because of decreased hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19. There are no changes to respiratory virus guidance for healthcare settings.

      The updated guidance also recommends people stay home and away from others when sick with a respiratory virus and suggests returning to normal activities when symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, and fever free without antipyretics.  Once resuming normal activities, people are encouraged to take additional steps for the next five days to curb spread, such as wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others and enhancing hygiene practices.