Information on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-2019)

Dear OMSD Parents and Community,

As you know, the health and well-being of all students and staff on our campuses is important.

We are continuing to closely monitor the novel coronavirus and want to reassure you that we are working with the San Bernardino County Department of Health and Local State agencies to stay current on any new developments.

The situation with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to change; we encourage all of our families to limit the potential exposure to this threat by staying home whenever possible. 

CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF COVID-19

Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

Watch for symptoms: People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• 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

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

We want to remind you to continue to take simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

What can I do to protect my child and my family?

The best thing you can do is to actively practice and reinforce good prevention habits with your family. There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60 percent or more alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Clean surfaces around your home and vehicle consistent with Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Remain at home until fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
• Seek immediate medical care if symptoms become more severe such as a high fever or difficulty breathing.
• Follow guidance from public health officials.

 Refer to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) School Guidance on Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 page, 3 for more information.

What is social distancing?

• Social distancing is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of contagious diseases.
• It requires the creation of six (6) feet of physical space between individuals who may spread infectious diseases when events or activities cannot be modified, postponed, or cancelled.

Are you taking specific measures at the schools to help prevent the spread of the virus?

• Our custodial staff is regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including classroom desktops and doorknobs, in addition to our standard daily cleaning protocols.

What are the symptoms and severe complications from this virus? Who is at Higher Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19?

• The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully understood.
• Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death.
• Older people and people with certain underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, compromised immune system and diabetes, for example, seem to be at greater risk of serious illness.

Is there a COVID-19 vaccine? - Yes, See Below.

Things to Know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Now that there are authorized and recommended vaccines to prevent COVID-19 in the United States, here are things you need to know about the new COVID-19 Vaccination Program and COVID-19 vaccines.

With the goal of making a COVID-19 vaccine available to all persons who choose to receive it, health care officials have developed a phased-approach to first make the vaccine available to high-risk health care workers, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, and first responders. Vaccinations began on December 16, 2020 in San Bernardino County and are continuing. Following is the overall approach to distributing the vaccinations in our County. Click here to see details on  San Bernardino roll out Phase for vaccine distribution.

1. Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?

No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19 so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. There are several different types of vaccines in development. All of them teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19) after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.

2. Cost is not an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given at no cost.

3. COVID-19 vaccines are one of many important tools to help us stop this pandemic.

It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often

All ACIP-recommended vaccines will be included in the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program. CDC continues to work at all levels with partners, including healthcare associations, on a flexible COVID-19 vaccination program that can accommodate different vaccines and adapt to different scenarios. State, tribal, local, and territorial health departments have developed distribution plans to make sure all recommended vaccines are available to their communities

4. After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, will I test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?

No. Neither the recently authorized and recommended vaccines nor the other COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States can cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.​

If your body develops an immune response—the goal of vaccination—there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.

5. If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first.

At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.

6. Will a COVID-19 vaccination protect me from getting sick with COVID-19?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from getting sick with COVID-19.

Being protected from getting sick is important because even though many people with COVID-19 have only a mild illness, others may get a severe illness, have long-term health effects, or even die. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you don’t have an increased risk of developing severe complications.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 (Spanish)

Symptoms of Coronavirus

Symptoms of Coronavirus (Spanish)

What to Do If You are Sick with COVID19

What to Do If You are Sick with COVID19 (Spanish)

This is the current information on the CDC, CDPH and San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Websites for the Coronavirus (COVID-2019):

• California Department of Public Health - Information on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019)
• San Bernardino County - Public Health - News Release regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019)
• San Bernardino County - Public Health - Information & Updates regarding Face Mask's