COVID-19 Symptom Screening and Testing

Symptom Screenings

Families and staff should regularly check for symptoms before reporting to school or work each day.

Students and staff experiencing any of the following symptoms must stay home:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness 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

COVID-19 Testing and Positive Cases

ICSD School-Based Testing

The ICSD is offering school-based COVID-19 testing during the 2022-23 school year to support the health of our school community by reducing the risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Antigen testing is available for symptomatic students at school who are fever-free (<100°F) without the use of fever-reducing medications, free from diarrhea or vomiting in the last 24 hours, without a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, and well enough to remain in school while wearing a high-quality mask. A negative antigen test result will allow mildly symptomatic students to remain in school while awaiting confirmatory PCR test results or while completing two additional days of antigen testing. School nurses will communicate with caregivers regarding their clinical assessment of the student, options for testing, and masking requirements. COVID-19 tests are provided at no cost and participation is voluntary.

Consent for school-based rapid, point-of-care (antigen) testing can be provided using this online consent form: Caregiver Consent for Symptomatic COVID-19 Testing (Antigen Testing).

Testing for Tompkins County Residents

COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available for any Tompkins County resident through Cayuga Health System.

Cayuga Health operates a drive-through screening site at the Shops at Ithaca Mall, 40 Catherwood Road, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Appointments are required and hours may vary. Visit the Cayuga Health System website for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits

The Ithaca City School District will continue to make COVID-19 antigen test kits available for use at home by families and staff, pending supplies provided by New York State. Each kit includes two tests. Click here to view our guidance on when to use the at-home test.

Click here to find a full list of FDA test expiration extensions.

Positive Cases in the School Community

As individuals test positive for COVID-19, whether through PCR or antigen testing, the individual should isolate and follow all protocols outlined by the Tompkins County Health Department.

Returning to School/Work

Please review the protocols linked below for guidance on when students and staff may return to school/work after experiencing symptoms, being exposed to someone with COVID-19, or testing positive:

• Protocol for Students Returning to School
• Protocol for Staff Returning to Work

When can students and staff return after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, being exposed to a positive case, or testing positive themselves?

The date on which students and employees can return to school/work depends on their risk factors (symptoms, known exposures, test results, etc.). Please review our Protocol for Students Returning to School and our Protocol for Staff Returning to Work for details.

What happens if a student or employee develops symptoms related to COVID-19 during the school day?

Students and staff who develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 during the school day will be assessed by the school nurse, and those with a temperature of 100.0°F (37.78°C) or higher and/or other signs of illness will be directed to wear a mask and isolate themselves from others. Before being picked up or otherwise sent home, a caregiver may consent for their child to be tested at school.

Does the district require testing of students and staff?

Our school-based testing program is voluntary for students. A parent/guardian must provide consent in order for their child(ren) to be tested. We strongly encourage providing consent for testing, as it is non-invasive and can support community health.

How can students/staff get tested outside of school?

COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available for any Tompkins County resident through Cayuga Health System. Cayuga Health operates a drive-through screening site at the Shops at Ithaca Mall, 40 Catherwood Road, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Appointments are required and hours may vary. Visit the Cayuga Health System website for the most up-to-date information.

Does the district notify families and staff if a student or employee tests positive?

As of January 14, 2022, the Tompkins County Health Department, in alignment with NYS Department of Health guidance, suspended contact tracing operations. Consequently, the ICSD no longer calls or emails school communities when positive COVID-19 cases arise. 

How does antigen testing work?

Students with caregiver consent who show signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while at school may be tested in the nurse's office. Antigen test results are available immediately. A negative result will allow mildly symptomatic students to remain in school while awaiting confirmatory PCR test results or while completing two additional days of antigen testing.

School nurses will communicate with caregivers regarding their clinical assessment of the student, options for testing, and masking requirements. 

Who qualifies for antigen testing?

  To qualify for antigen testing, students must be:

• Fever-free (< 100°F) without the use of fever-reducing medications;
• Free from diarrhea or vomiting in the last 24 hours;
• Without a known exposure to someone with COVID-19; and
• Well enough to remain in school while wearing a high-quality mask.

If the antigen test result is negative, does my child need another test to confirm the result?

Yes, students who test negative must receive a confirmatory PCR test result or complete two additional days of antigen testing. While awaiting confirmatory results, students may remain in school and must wear a high-quality mask.

What if the antigen test result is positive?

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 through antigen testing should self-isolate and follow all protocols outlined by the Tompkins County Health Department. Students/staff who test positive may return to school after 5 days of isolation* if they are symptom-free or their symptoms are resolving, including being fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication). Those individuals must also wear a mask in school and other public spaces for 5 additional days (days 6-10).

*Day 0 is the day symptoms start or, if asymptomatic, the day the student tests positive.