Sector Frequently Asked Questions

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• Which decision tree should special education, also referred to as special day class (SDC), preschool classrooms use on school campuses?

  The Early Care and Education (Child Care; ECE) decision tree applies to both daycares and preschools. As a result, SDC preschool classrooms should be following the ECE tree. The K12 Decision Tree is only intended for children in TK-12^th grade.

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• Is a virtual (telehealth visit) doctor’s note okay for a child to return after being sick?

  Yes. Consider taking a picture of the doctor’s note for the daycare center’s records or the child’s chart for recording any chronic conditions, allergies, or other conditions; or documentation that the child is cleared to return to school with a negative test on day 5 or later; or are more than 10 days past symptoms onset without a test. 

• Do close contacts of close contacts need to be excluded from school or daycare attendance (e.g., a child who was exposed at daycare has a sibling who also attends daycare but was not exposed)?

  No. Close contacts of close contacts do not need to be excluded. Direct contacts of a COVID-19 positive case should follow precautions provided on the Guidance for Close Contact for Coronavirus Disease 2019 page. However, anyone exhibiting symptoms should isolate and test as soon as possible.

• Where can I learn more about isolation and close-contact situations?

  o   The What To Do If You Have COVID-19 page offers information on isolation, and

  o   The What To Do If You Are In Close Contact With COVID-19 page offers information what to do if exposed to someone with COVID-19.

  o   Visit the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Child Care Guidance page for more information specific to Child Care settings.

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• What are the current ratios for children in child care centers?

  Child care facilities may return to Title 22 regulations on group sizes. However, it is strongly recommended that adding more children is done slowly and cautiously. Adding more children increases the risk of an outbreak, and is the provider's responsibility to ensure guidelines are followed. 

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• What are the recommended guidelines for facility sanitation?
  • It is important to know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing and when to do each to maintain a healthy child care environment and ensure the well-being of children in care. See Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility for detailed information on infection control practices related to cleaning and disinfection.
    • Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
    • Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
    • Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.
  • Please see California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for the latest information on cleaning and disinfection for Child Care Providers and Programs.

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• What do we do if a child, staff, or facility contact has a positive COVID-19 test?

  Isolate and report the incidents to the County, Community Care Licensing (CCL), and affected families.

  •  Isolate the individual with symptoms
    • Isolation is immediately required if a person meets one or more of the following criteria:
      • A positive diagnostic test for COVID-19; or
      • Signs and symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fatigue, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea); or
      • A physician has informed the individual that they are likely to have COVID-19.
    • Report the case to the County 
      • If a child, staff, or facility contact has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact the Epidemiology Unit by phone at (619) 692-8499, or complete the Online COVID-19 Notification Form. Calling is preferred for outbreak reporting. For urgent matters on evenings, weekends, or holidays, dial (858) 565-5255 and ask for the Epidemiology Unit duty officer.
      • Childcare providers must report to the local health department (see above) the presence, or suspected presence, of any communicable diseases (see the California Code of Regulations for more information).
    • Report multiple cases to CCL
      • If 3 or more children, staff, or facility contacts have tested positive for COVID-19, please contact the local CCL regional office within 24 hours. To reach a Licensing Duty Officer, call (619) 767-2200 and press #3.
  • Submit an Unusual Incident Report (LIC 624 or LIC624B) within 7 days of reporting the cases to the assigned Licensing Program Analyst or Regional Office. Please include the contact with Epidemiology or Public Health Official with recommendations in the report. Follow California.

   

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• Are there any recommendations for hand sanitizer?
  • Hand Sanitizer should contain at least 60% ethyl alcohol (preferred) or at least 70% isopropyl alcohol (a neurotoxin and eye irritant). WARNING: Do not use any products that contain methanol.
  • Closely supervise young children using hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing hand sanitizer because it can cause alcohol poisoning.
  • Hand sanitizer may be used under adult supervision only and must be kept out of children’s reach. Call Poison Control if consumed: 800-222-1222. Note that frequent handwashing is more effective than the use of hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizer must be rubbed into children’s hands until completely dry. Hand sanitizer is not recommended for children under 24 months.
  • Please refer to CDPH Child Care Guidance, California Poison Control Organization, and the When and How to Wash Your Hands page for more information.
• Where should we store hand sanitizer?

  From Title 22 Licensing Regulations:

  § 101238(g). Buildings and Grounds: Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons, and other items that could pose a danger, if readily available to children, shall be stored where inaccessible to children.

  AND

  § 102417(g)(4). Operation of a Family Child Care Home: Poisons, detergents, cleaning compounds, medicines, firearms, and other items which could pose a danger if readily available to children, shall be stored where they are inaccessible to children.

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• Is an antigen test for COVID-19 sufficient proof of a negative COVID-19 diagnosis?

  In an asymptomatic individual, an antigen test may be sufficient. However, a second test may be needed in a symptomatic individual if an antigen test is an initial test. Please refer to the Child Care Decision Tree (Spanish) and CDPH Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs for the latest information on testing.

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• Where do we stay up-to-date on COVID-19 information?
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • CDC school and child care program resources are also on the CDC webpage.
  • California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
  • California Department of Social Services (CDSS) 
    • The CDSS will communicate new and updated information related to child care facilities to providers through Provider Information Notices (PINs).
    • Please sign up to be notified of new PINs here and visit the Department’s website for the latest PINs. 
    • Community Care Licensing
    • County of San Diego www.coronavirus-sd.com

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• How do I receive the recording of the telebriefing?

  The latest recordings are posted on Child Care Services (Early Care and Education) (sandiegocounty.gov). The recorded telebriefing link expires one week after the telebriefing.  

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• Are there local handwashing stations?

  At the request of the cities, the County of San Diego places portable restrooms at locations within the cities that meet the Centers for Disease Control Guidance for Responding to COVID-19 among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness, as a preventative measure for COVID-19. 

  Requests should be submitted to Caroline Mosher at MOC.LOGS.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

  For a list off all the handwashing stations. 

• What is the guidance on industries?

  Effective June 15, 2021, California fully reopened the economy. Businesses and activities can return to normal. Effective March 13, 2023, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed requirements in Mega Events.