Students are able to go to class despite a runny nose

Although some parts of Quebec began returning to classes on Thursday morning, parents were happy to learn that children who woke up in the morning with a runny nose could still go to class.

According to the latest online version of the self-diagnosis tool, runny nose and nasal congestion are not considered symptoms of COVID-19.

The symptom was kept intact during the winter and spring of 2021 “because there were no other respiratory viruses transmitted at that time,” Health Ministry spokesman Robert Maranda explained.

In June, however, testing centers reported that this symptom had led to many negative tests.

After verification with the relevant authorities, this feature was removed from the list of those to be considered “in the context of the current Wave and Delta variant”, Mr Maranda said.

Questions

The news pleased Covin Roy, president of the Federation of Quebec Parents’ Committees (FCPQ). However, he urged Quebec and the school network to broadcast the information to a series of parents.

“The ministry or school service centers would do well to remind all parents of the instructions. There are many parents who do not remember having this online tool,” he said.

Other questions have not been resolved, according to Mr Roy. Does a young person receiving a two-dose vaccine still need to be tested for symptoms? “It’s vague. At the beginning of the school year, I believe a lot of parents will ask themselves questions,” he said.

Ambiguity in amplitude

Ambiguity also persists over guidelines for outreach in the school network.

Horacio Aruda, national director of public health, told a news conference on Tuesday that classes could be closed if several positive cases were announced, especially indicating four, five or six cases.

However, the National Institute of Public Health in Quebec recommends withdrawing the entire group at home as soon as an infection is detected, i.e. when two positive cases occur in the same class regardless of whether or not to wear a mask. .

However, the last word on the spread was the Regional Directorate of Public Health. Health authorities may decide to “implement the necessary interventions depending on the size and nature of the outbreak,” we read in the INSPQ Guide.

When should I keep my baby At home and tested? *

When he performed A Among the following features:

• Fever
• Sudden loss of smell with or without nasal congestion, loss of taste
• Recent cough or exacerbated chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty in breathing
• Sore throat

When he submitted two Among the following features:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea (heart pain) or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Great fatigue
• Significant loss of appetite
• Normal muscle pain (not related to physical activity)
• Headache

* These symptoms affect children aged 6 to 17 years. The list is a little different for children 5 and under. Please see the full version of the online self-analysis tool: covid19.quebec.ca.