Respiratory Virus Guidelines

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Respiratory viruses, including the viruses that cause COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are serious health concerns and cause many lost days of school and work every year. On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated respiratory virus guidance. 

Per this updated guidance, students or staff who have symptoms of, test positive for or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus, including COVID-19, the flu or RSV, may return to school when they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND their symptoms have improved or resolved. The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer required.

Loudoun County Public Schools will follow the CDC’s guidance. Below are more details about LCPS guidance for individuals who have a respiratory virus:  

  1. A person who is sick should stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after symptoms have dissipated and after a fever has ended, without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

  2. Once this criteria has been met, normal activities may be resumed with added prevention strategies – such as increasing room ventilation, enhancing hand-washing and other hygiene practices or wearing a mask (CDC encourages wearing a mask, but LCPS does not require it) – for five days. 

LCPS encourages students and staff who are sick to remain at home. Please see LCPS guidance about when to stay home. Medical documentation may be required to support absences.

Respiratory Virus Guidelines Snapshot