This is the COVID-19 update for Friday, February 11. There is information about our follow-up vaccine clinic on February 25. As always, you can visit the COVID-19 Update Center at any time for the latest.
This week’s updates:
- We are still awaiting an update on the appeal in the downstate court cases regarding school COVID mitigations. A reminder that our schools are continuing to abide by the protocols that have been in place since the beginning of the school year. This includes universal masking, quarantining for close contacts and weekly testing for unvaccinated staff.
- Our second-dose vaccine clinic is on Friday, February 25 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at River Trails Middle School. This is for anyone whose child received the first dose on February 4. Your scheduled time will be the same as your first appointment.
- You can also sign up to receive a booster shot at the February 25 clinic. Anyone who is at least five months removed from their second dose is eligible. Use https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/1642008919914 to register for an appointment.
- SHIELD testing at Prairie Trails is now being conducted on Wednesdays, instead of Fridays. Testing days are unchanged at all other schools. You will only be notified if your child tests positive, but can also see the results yourself by signing up for the SHIELD portal.
- You can order free at-home COVID tests by visiting covidtests.gov. Every household is eligible to receive four free tests.
- Cook County has opened a vaccination site in Des Plaines at 1155 E. Oakton Street. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but they are encouraging people to make an appointment at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov. Pfizer and Moderna are being offered, and you can receive primary vaccinations or booster shots.
- Cook County has also expanded its in-home vaccination program. To be eligible a person must live in suburban Cook County and “attest that it is difficult for you to leave your home to receive a vaccination.” If you or someone you know fits these criteria, please visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov and select “In-Home Vaccination.”
- Once your child is fully vaccinated (two weeks after second dose), they can be exempted from weekly saliva testing and will not have to quarantine if they are exposed to COVID (as long as they are not experiencing any symptoms). To get these benefits, you will need to inform the district that your child has been vaccinated and can do so by filling out this form. If you do not have a Google account, please submit your child’s vaccination information directly to your school’s office.
- It is expected that at some point in the near future, eligible children (age 12 and older) will need to have a booster in order to be considered “fully vaccinated.” If you have already submitted vaccine verification for your child, you can now submit their booster information by filling out this form.
- A reminder that meals can be provided for any student who is quarantining due to a positive COVID case or exposure. If interested, call 224-612-7675. Families will be able to pick up meals at River Trails Middle School, or have them delivered.
- While cases are trending downward, please continue to be diligent about keeping your child home from school if they are not feeling well. Even if symptoms are mild, or possibly unrelated to COVID, err on the side of caution.
- Our COVID-19 dashboard is updated daily with the number of students and staff who test positive or are in quarantine due to exposure. This dashboard is updated as results are provided and may be adjusted retroactively.
We will continue sending updates throughout the week when it is necessary. Do not hesitate to call either the district office or your school if you have any questions.