Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Important Information and Resources
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COVID-19 Testing
Testing remains an important strategy in the fight against COVID-19. Anyone who has symptoms should isolate and be tested right away. Those who have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine following Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines, and be tested 5-7 days later.
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Vaccination Clinics
As of February 2023, St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health will no longer host weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the SPPS Administration Building. SPPS may host vaccine clinics at schools or other district buildings in the future based on community need. COVID-19 vaccine resources can be found at spps.org/covidvaccine.
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Vaccination Questions
Do you have questions about whether you qualify for a vaccine? What to expect with your COVID shot? The list below is a set of links to MDH and CDC information that covers everything from what you need to bring to the vaccine clinic to why teens should now be vaccinated.
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COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens
Minnesota Department of Health has added a new webpage that helps parents learn about the vaccinations now available to children and teens, and connect with locations/clinics offering the vaccine. Use the link below to learn more and find a vaccination location for your child:
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What do Pediatricians Want Parents to Know About the COVID Vaccine for Kids?
See what some of our local pediatricians want parents to know about getting their children vaccinated.
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New Docket App Allows Easy Access to Your Immunization Record
Easily access your immunization record and keep track of immunizations you'll need in the future through The Docket. Minnesota's immunization information system, MIIC, combines immunizations into a single record. The Docket is a secure mobile app that utilizes MIIC information, allowing you to access your shot record, including COVID-19 vaccinations. The app provides a PDF document of the immunization record that can be saved to your mobile device, printed, emailed or texted as needed.
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COVID-19 Community Coordinators Available to Help Navigate the Ins and Outs of Everything COVID
COVID Community Coordinators are available to support Minnesotans who need COVID information specific to their communities, including in their languages. These community-based organizations serve those communities hit hardest by the pandemic, providing guidance on COVID vaccinations, testing and other resources.
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COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis Resources
The COVID Cares Stress Phone Support Service is available to any Minnesotan experiencing COVID-related stress. Call 833-HERE4MN (833-437-3466) for free telephone support from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. The service is a collaboration with volunteers from the Minnesota Psychiatric Society, the Minnesota Psychological Association, the Minnesota Black Psychologists, and Mental Health Minnesota.
- Find more resources on the MDH Mental Health Support webpage
Ramsey County and other local organizations have resources available to support mental health, childcare, food and other needs that have been growing due to the pandemic. A few of these resources include:
- Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative: Resources for schools to help support children’s mental health.
- Minnesota Black Community COVID-19 Hotline: Support for Minnesota’s African American community, 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Call 612-254-1145 for important information about COVID testing sites and resources that support food security, physical and mental health, employment, housing, childcare, legal rights, and other COVID-19-related challenges.
- HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research): COVID-19 hotline providing information in English and Spanish about testing, self-isolating, and other resources. The hotline is 651-304-6145 and is answered weekdays from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative has put together a Youth Mental Health Emergency Crisis Guide that outlines a step-by-step response for schools and health care providers.
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Minnesota Department of Health Key Information
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has instructed schools to follow a Decision Tree map designed for schools to determine student or staff exclusion status due to COVID contraction or exposure. View SPPS's Decision Tree document here. Translated versions can be found in the right margin of this webpage, under COVID-19 resources.
MDH has a webpage devoted to Schools and COVID-19. View the webpage here. It also has a COVID webpage for Spanish speakers, as well as webpages in Hmong and Somali.
Take the same precautions recommended for avoiding colds and flu:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough.
Link: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html
MDH has also put out a video that explains in a very visual way, how the virus spreads. View the YouTube video here.
-Updated 11/22/22
UPDATED QUARANTINE GUIDELINES
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SPPS has changed its quarantine time for close contact exposure outside of household members, based on the recent changes put in place by the CDC and MDH. For further information on what these changes mean for you, please consult the link below:
SPPS COVID-19 Student and Family Guidelines and Employee Workplace Manual
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Saint Paul Public Schools has created a manual aimed at keeping students and their families informed on how to prevent the COVID-19 virus and the steps to take should they contract the illness or come in contact with someone with a COVID-19 diagnosis. View the Student and Family Guidelines here.
The Guidelines contain several helpful videos. Two of the most notable are:
A staff manual has also been developed, with details specific to working in the school setting. View the Employee Workplace Manual here.
How to Report COVID Concerns
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If you have a COVID concern and have been on SPPS property, you are encouraged to report it the same day using the SPPS COVID-19 Reporting System. A phone number is listed for families who need to report in Spanish, Hmong, Somali or Karen.
SPPS works closely with the Minnesota Department of Health to determine action steps for a reported case of COVID-19. Guidance from local and state health officials will determine if further communications are needed. For more information, please refer to the COVID-19 Communications Protocol.
Watch this short video to see how the reporting process works.
SPPS has also created a COVID-19 Dashboard webpage. This webpage includes graphs that show figures for potential COVID cases reported to the district's COVID response team, along with positive cases, and can be broken out for staff and students. There are also links to multiple state and county data resources.
-Revised on 11/22/22
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Other COVID Notification Programs
The state of Minnesota has created a COVID-19 smartphone notification system that allows you to be notified through an app if you've been near someone who tests positive for the virus. COVIDaware MN is not a contact tracing app but uses blue tooth technology to provide notification alerts. The app is designed to protect privacy and does not use or store personally identifiable information. The state encourages all Minnesotans to download the free app. To learn more, visit the COVIDaware MN website.
Health Start Clinics
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Health Start Clinics Are Open
SPPS high school Health Start Clinics are open and available for scheduling appointments. Most Health Start Clinics serve students ages 12-18, and services include urgent in-person mental health care, medication management for depression and anxiety, sexual health concerns, check-ups and vaccines, non-respiratory illness, injuries and asthma follow-up. They can also do sports physicals. This webpage lists the Health Start Clinic locations, hours of operation, and further details.
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Additional COVID symptoms have been identified since the virus appeared last spring. This screening poster will be posted at all SPPS buildings open to traffic.

SPPS COVID-Lead Nurse Assistance
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SPPS Licensed School Nurses designated as COVID Leads are also available for consult:
- Mondays-Fridays, 7:00AM-4:30PM
They can be reached via email at covid19@spps.org.
COVID-19 Resources
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- Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 hub
- SPPS COVID-19 Decision Tree
- Minnesota COVID-19 Connector
- COVID Community Coordinators
- SPPS COVID Dashboard
- Minnesota Black Community COVID-19 Hotline
- COVID hotline for Spanish speakers
- Hand hygiene curricula for students and adults/print materials (MDH)
- CDC Guidance for Schools/Early Care
- People who are at higher risk for severe illness (CDC)