Health and Safety in Child Care Programs during the COVID-19 Pandemic - PowerPoint Presentation

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Health and Safety in Child Care Programs during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Developed by the UCSF California Childcare Program with funding through the California Department of Social Services,Child Care and Development DivisionAugust 1, 2021

Check the CCHP website for COVID-19 Information and Resources

https://cchp.ucsf.edu

This Guidance is Based on:

The California Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services and Cal-OSHA guidance. June 29, 2021. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Child-Care-Guidance.aspx (This updated guidance supersedes the prior July 17, 2020 g

uidance: Child Care Program and Providers.)

AND

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Supplemental Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open. July 9, 2021.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/child-care-guidance.html

COVID-19Some people have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.Older people, people with chronic health problems, and unvaccinated people are at risk of getting sicker.

Children experience lower rates of COVID-19 illness than adults, and their symptoms tend to be milder than adults.Children under age 12 are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine yet.1

COVID-19 and Children

Infants younger than 1 year and children with certain underlying medical conditions (for example, asthma, diabetes, and obesity) may be more likely to have serious COVID-19. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is rare but serious.

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Is a rare inflammatory condition in children associated with COVID-19. It can require hospitalization and be life threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to preventing long-term complications.Signs and symptoms include: fever that does not go away; abdominal pain; vomiting; diarrhea; neck pain; rash; bloodshot eyes; or feeling tired. As of July 12, 2021 there have been 570 cases of MIS-C reported statewide.

How COVID-19 Spreads:

The virus mainly spreads person-to-person through the air.

The virus may live on surfaces and spread to people when they touch the surface and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. But this is less likely.

The Role of Your Public Health Department During COVID-19:P

rovides information about disease rates in your community and strategies and resources to reduce your risk of COVID-19.Provides guidance on when the infected person can return to the facility, testing, and contact tracing. Assists with COVID-19 vaccination.Contact your local public health department, immediately, if you are aware of confirmed COVID-19 cases among staff, children, or families.

Communicating with Families and StaffInform families and staff about your policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.Require staff and families to inform your program immediately if anyone in the family is diagnosed with COVID-19.

Update emergency contact information and asthma action plans.

Reducing the risk is not the same as 100% preventing the spread of COVID-19.

We focus on health practices to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19.

The strategies work together to lower the risk.

Reduce the Risk of COVID-19

Strategies to Reduce the Risk of COVID-19 in Child Care Programs

Stay Home if Sick

Wash Your Hands

Small, Stable Groups

Cleaning

Face Masks

Vaccination

Healthy Air

Stay Home if Sick

Stay Home if Sick

The Daily Health Check is a welcome routine can help you to better understand each child, help children feel more comfortable, and foster communication with parents.Ask if the child, or anyone in the child’s household, has COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19 Include:

Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

This list does not include all possible symptoms

.

Stay Home if Sick

Do not admit children or staff with symptoms of COVID-19. Isolate (with supervision) any child who develops symptoms of COVID-19 during the day, and ask the family to pick up the child right away.

Stay Home if Sick

Upon arrival and frequently throughout the day.

Wash Your Hands

Handwashing Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAP8HZdV5Qo

Wash Your Hands

Use Hand Sanitizer:When soap and water are not available,

For adults and children over 24 months,On visibly clean hands,Containing at least 60% alcohol,Keep out of children’s reach!FDA Warning: Some hand sanitizer products labeled as having ethanol are contaminated with methanol. Methanol can have life-threatening, toxic effects. Please check the FDA website for a list of hand sanitizers found to have methanol that have been recalled:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-methanol

*Remember: Soap and water are the first choice if available.

Wash Your Hands

Small Groups (Cohorts)Care for children in small and stable groups.

Children and staff should not change groups or mix groups, if possible.Assign each cohort their own room, if possible.

Small, Stable Groups

Service Providers and Other Visitors

Continue IEPs for children with special needs.Allow breastfeeding people to enter the building.Licensing analysts have resumed in-person visits.Otherwise, limit outside visitors.

Small, Stable Groups

When Caring for Infants and Toddlers…Provide clean smocks for staff, and change children’s clothing when soiled with secretions or body fluids.

Wear a face mask.Consider eye protection (for example glasses, goggles, or a face shield).

Small, Stable Groups

Keep Your Child Care Environment Clean

DefinitionsClean: To physically remove dirt, debris, and sticky film from surfaces by washing, wiping, and rinsing.Disinfect: To kill nearly all of the germs on a hard, non-porous surface.

Follow Caring for Our Children Schedule K for routine cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting best practices:

https://nrckids.org/files/appendix/AppendixK.pdf

Cleaning

Use Cleaning Products that are Healthier for People and the Environment

fragrance-freefree of dyesnon-antibacterialnon- aerosols (propellant)third-party certification

Cleaning

Use Cleaning Products that are Healthier for People and the Environment

Remember, children are more vulnerable to exposure to chemicals and fumes because they are growing and developing. Their little bodies have a harder time breaking down toxins, and they breathe twice as much per body weight as adults.

They have softer, more absorbent skin and smaller airways.

They spend more time on the floor where chemical residues can collect.

Cleaning

Disinfectants are

antimicrobial pesticides.Disinfectants are already widely used in child care settings and must be used according to label instructions to be effective.Disinfect high touch surfaces and surfaces soiled with blood and body fluids.Have you taken the Healthy Schools Act training?https://apps.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/

Use Disinfectants Safely and Effectively

Cleaning

The Label Is the LawAlways follow the instructions on the label for sanitizing and disinfecting. Information on the label includes:

Do you need to mix the product with water?How long must the product be on the surface? (dwell time)Is it okay to use the product on food surfaces?Do you need to rinse the product off?

CAUTION

WARNING

DANGER

Cleaning

If you see the Safer Choice logo on an EPA-authorized label for a sanitizer or disinfectant, you can be assured that the product uses a least-hazardous active ingredient.

Choose a disinfecting product with an EPA registration number on the label.

For disinfecting products that meet the EPA criteria for use against the COVID-19 virus, refer to

“List N”:

www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19

Cleaning

Choosing a Disinfecting Product

Cleaning

Cleaning

Key Messages

Healthy Air

Safely Open Windows and Doors

Healthy Air

https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/child-safety/window-safety

Evaluate your Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) System. A HVAC consultant can make suggestions for upgrades and routine maintenance (such as changing the filter).Consider using a portable Air Filtration Device if you do not have an HVAC system or it is not adequate.

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Healthy Air

Maximize Ventilation and Filtration

Healthy Air

Spend Time Outdoors

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Healthy Air

Healthy Air

Face Masks in Child Care Programs1

Face Masks

Adults and children over 2 years should wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth when indoors, except when eating and sleeping.Assist children to wear, remove, or handle masks.Check your local public health orders.

Face Masks

Tips for Effective Masking

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Wash your hands before putting your face mask on and after taking it off.

Fit the mask snugly against the sides of your face.

Make sure your mask is comfortable and your nose and mouth are covered.

Store your mask in a plastic container or a paper bag with your name when not wearing it.

Wash cloth face masks in hot water and dry in a hot dryer after each use.

Keep extra face masks for children on hand in case they get wet

or dirty.

Face Masks

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Vaccination

How to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19

Vaccine appointments are available on Myturn.ca.gov .  The website can be translated in to 13 additional languages.Or contact your local Public Health Department.Or check with your health care provider.

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Vaccination

These are stressful times. Take care of yourself!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa_qNH8u3OM

Thank you for caring for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please stay safe, we appreciate you!

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https://cchp.ucsf.edu

CCHP Posters:

Reduce the Risk of COVID-19Morning Health CheckQuick-Screen Guide for COVID-19

When to Wash your Hands

Wash Your Hands Properly

Healthy Air in Child Care

Step-by-Step Cleaning

Step-by-Step Disinfecting

No Water Toothbrushing

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