2023-24 COVID-19 Resources

The Irvine Unified School District is committed to safely serving our students, while helping to ensure the health and wellbeing of those on our campuses.  Below is a resource guide for the 2023-24 school year, which is aligned to the California Department of Public Health’s guidelines for schools.  
 

Latest News

January 16, 2024: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced updated COVID-19 isolation and testing guidance on January 9.  The revised guidelines, which apply to schools, childcare settings, and most workplaces, reflect a changed public health landscape and are focused on those most at risk of severe illness while minimizing disruptions to schools and workplaces. Although Californians are reminded to take preventive and protective measures for all respiratory infections, including influenza and RSV, officials say widespread vaccination and available treatments have reduced the impacts of COVID-19. 

The updated CDPH guidelines emphasize a more flexible, symptom-based approach similar to other illnesses. Instead of staying home for a minimum of 5 days, individuals may return to work or school if their symptoms are mild and improving and they have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Masking recommendations of 10 days for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have respiratory symptoms have not changed.

For those who have close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case but are symptom-free, testing is now only recommended for individuals who are at a higher risk of severe illness or have contact with high-risk individuals. Those with symptoms are still advised to get tested and follow masking recommendations.

The latest COVID-19 Isolation Guidance has been posted on the California Department of Public Health website

June 2023: In alignment with California Department of Public Health COVID-19 guidelines for schools, IUSD has retired the District’s COVID-19 Dashboard for the 2023-24 school year.  Although most California school districts stopped maintaining COVID-19 dashboards for the 2022-23 school year, IUSD continued to maintain the dashboard as part of our commitment to providing accurate and transparent information regarding COVID-19 cases on our campuses. 

We will continue to work with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Orange County Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health to ensure we remain in alignment with state guidelines so that our schools continue to provide safe learning environments. 

You can support safe schools by remaining vigilant and continue practicing good hygiene habits and following health and safety guidelines provided by health officials and IUSD’s Health Guidelines for School Attendance.

As always, our lines of communication remain open.  If you have questions about protocols and information related to your child(ren)’s school, please contact the principal.  We will continue to communicate updates and information aligned with state guidelines.  You may also submit questions to info@iusd.org