- Los Angeles Unified School District
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Frequently Asked Questions
Los Angeles Unified will update our COVID-19 site as more information becomes available. The following are frequently asked questions for families and employees about COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and the Daily Pass web app.
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NEW RESPONSE TESTING PROTOCOL (2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR)
Please note Los Angeles Unified updated these guidelines on August 14, 2024. Los Angeles Unified will continue to collaborate with our health partners at the county and state levels, as well as our panel of medical experts and university partners. We also continue to review updates to county, state, and federal guidance on a daily basis, and we may adjust policies accordingly.
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COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS
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Will COVID testing be required during the 2024-25 school year?
Following the guidance of our medical advisors and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles Unified will continue to implement a “response testing” protocol for summer school programs and the 2024-25 school year.
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What should a student or employee experiencing COVID-19 symptoms do?
Symptomatic individuals will be sent home away from others and recommended to test immediately using a rapid antigen test kit. Positive test results should be uploaded to Daily Pass at dailypass.lausd.org. Individuals who test negative, but continue having COVID-19 symptoms should stay home away from others and may return to school or work if fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications and symptoms are improving.
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Can an employee or student be tested by their own healthcare provider?
Yes. Test results must be valid and should be submitted as soon as possible after the test date; employees and families can upload test results at dailypass.lausd.org.
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Is masking required during the 2024-25 school year?
Indoor masking is recommended. Masking requirements are subject to change with updated guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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What is the "infectious period?"
The potential infectious period is 2 days before the date of symptom onset or the first positive test date (if no symptoms) through Day 10. Day 0 is the symptom onset date or first positive test date.
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What happens if an employee or student tests positive for the virus?
If a student or employee tests positive, the following instructions will be given:
Be sure the test result is uploaded into the Daily Pass.
If a student or employee has symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and away from others. They may return to school or work if there is no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, and body aches should also improve before going back to a school site. Early return is allowed before Day 10. A well-fitting, high-quality mask is required through Day 10 from the date of a positive test or onset of symptoms. Symptomatic individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should consult with their healthcare provider.
If a student or staff who tests positive is asymptomatic, they are not required to isolate. They may remain on campus and are required to wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask when around others for 10 days. Day 0 is the day the first positive test is collected. If symptoms develop, stay home and the new Day 0 is the first day of symptom onset.
Masks are required around others for 10 days after testing positive if the individuals remain on campus.
It is strongly recommended that persons test negative before ending isolation.
If symptoms return or worsen, stay home, retest with an antigen test, and consult with a healthcare provider.
Please refer to LACDPH Instructions for COVID-19 Cases and Close Contacts. -
Does an employee or student who tested positive need to take another test before returning to work or school?
It is strongly recommended that employees and students test negative before return to school or work and they are fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication and either symptoms are mild and improving or symptoms have resolved. A well-fitting, high-quality mask is required through Day 10.
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What is a “close contact” to a case and what does it mean to be a close contact?
A close contact is defined as sharing the same indoor airspace during a confirmed case's infectious period regardless of the use of face coverings:
- Indoor spaces under 400,000 cubic feet: you shared the same indoor airspace or under with someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period during their infectious period.
- Indoor spaces over 400,000 cubic feet: you are within 6 feet with someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period during their infectious period. -
What should I do if I am identified as a close contact?
If you are identified as a close contact, you should monitor your health for 10 days from the last date of exposure to the positive individual. Testing is recommended with 3-5 days. Masking for close contacts is recommended, but not required. If symptoms develop, stay home away from others and test immediately.
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Will I know about an outbreak at my child's school?
If LACDPH determines that there is an outbreak, the school principal and the Compliance Task Force will follow specific protocols to inform the school community. The principal will communicate all necessary information to the school community, in accordance with LA County Department of Public Health guidelines. To see positive cases at a school site, the Report Card can be accessed here: https://achieve.lausd.net/covidreportcard
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AT-HOME RAPID ANTIGEN SELF-TEST GUIDANCE
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Where can I pick up an at-home rapid self test?
Rapid antigen tests are available at all schools and worksites.
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What happens if an employee or student tests positive on the at-home rapid self-test?
If you receive a positive result on an at-home test, please upload a photo of the test result as soon as possible onto the Daily Pass with your full legal name, date of birth and test date, handwritten on the test or a separate piece of paper next to the test. The Office of Health Emergency Response and Support (OHERS) team will review this test and approve or deny it within 24-48 hours. Positive individuals should follow isolation instructions.
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Is it safe to use a rapid antigen test kit with an expired date?
The use of test kits beyond their expiration date is endorsed by the California Department of Public Health. For more information on the emergency extension of expiration dates, please click here.
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LOS ANGELES UNIFIED'S RESPONSE TESTING PROGRAM
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Can my supervisor ask to see my test results?
No. A test result is personal health information and is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and an individual does not have to disclose test results.
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Can I talk to someone who speaks Spanish if I have any COVID-19 response testing questions?
Yes, please contact the Help Desk at 213-443-1300 and press 2 for Spanish.
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DAILY PASS
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What is the Daily Pass?
The Daily Pass is an online tool that allows students, parents, and employees to upload COVID-19 test results.
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Helpdesk
For families: (213) 443-1300
For employees: (213) 241-2700
The helpdesk is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for any questions about Los Angeles Unified and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Student & family wellness:
(213) 241-3840
The helpdesk is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call for support with mental health, immunizations, health insurance, food & housing, enrollment, and more.