Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

  • AA Dept of Health
    COVID-19 Health Line

    410-222-7256

    Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Saturday - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    Sunday  CLOSED

    E-mail: covid19info@aacounty.org

View real-time data and case maps for Coronavirus cases in Anne Arundel County

The most complete, up-to-date information about Coronavirus in Maryland can be found here

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  • What is a COVID-like illness?

    COVID-19-like illness is defined as:

    1. Any 1 of the following: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, OR

    2. At least 2 of the following: fever of 100.4 or higher (measured or subjective), chills or shaking chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose.

  • Where can I get tested for Coronavirus in Anne Arundel County?

    This is a comprehensive list of locations and other information about testing in Anne Arundel County

  • Where can I get local information about COVID-19?

    The most complete, up-to-date information about Coronavirus in Maryland can be found here  

    Please peruse the links to the left for information we have provided for you from the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO)

    Call 211 to be connected to the Maryland Department of Health or visit www.aahealth.org

    View an additional comprehensive list of Questions and Answers about Coronavirus here

  • What can I do to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

    • STAY HOME!!!, except when it's absolutely necessary to go out
    • Practice social distancing - maintain at least six feet of space between you and other individuals
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
    • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available
    • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, your sleeve or your elbow
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using standard cleaning practices
    • Avoid close contact with people
    • Face masks are currently required in MD when entering retail businesses.

    More info from the CDC

  • Have any special cleaning procedures been recommended for AACPS?

    Not at this time. Cleaning products currently being used by AACPS Operations staff meet the criteria set forth by health officials. Operations staff have been briefed on this issue and reminded of the need to ensure that all frequently touched surfaces are cleaned daily and meet all prescribed protocols. Staff have also been reminded to ensure that school bathrooms are well-stocked with soap and paper towels to allow for more frequent hand washing by students and employees.

  • Where can I get updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

    The websites for the, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health offer the latest information and guidance.

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  • Adapted from MSDE

    The following information is intended to assist with various scenarios related to employees with COVID-like* symptoms or who have tested positive for Coronavirus. View the Jan 7 memo here

    For the purposes of this decision aid, a COVID-19-like illness is defined as: Any 1 of the following: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, OR At least 2 of the following: fever of 100.4o or higher (measured or subjective), chills or shaking chills, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose.

  • SCENARIO: Person (child, care provider, educator, other staff) has a COVID-19-like illness:

    • Exclude person and recommend that they talk to their health care provider about testing for COVID-19 or whether there is another specific diagnosis.
    • The person should isolate pending test results or evaluation by their health care provider.
    • Close contacts of the ill person should quarantine per CDC guidelines.

    Person has Positive Test for COVID-19

    The ill person should stay home at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND until no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND improvement of other symptoms.

    Person has Negative Test for COVID-19

    The ill person should stay home until symptoms have improved, no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, AND criteria in the Communicable Diseases Summary have been met as applicable.

    The person should consider being tested/retested for COVID-19 if symptoms do not improve.

    Person does not receive a laboratory test or another specific diagnosis (e.g. influenza, strep throat, otitis) by their health care provider.

    The ill person should stay home at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND until no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND improvement of other symptoms.

    Health care provider documents that the person has another specific diagnosis (e.g. influenza, strep throat, otitis) or health care provider documents that symptoms are related to a pre-existing condition.

    The ill person should stay home until symptoms have improved, no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, AND criteria in the Communicable Diseases Summary have been met as applicable.

    The person should consider being tested/retested for COVID-19 if symptoms do not improve.

  • SCENARIO: An asymptomatic person (child, care provider, educator, other staff) tests positive for COVID-19.

    The asymptomatic person should stay home for 10 days from positive test.

  • SCENARIO: Person (child, care provider, educator, other staff) has 1 new symptom but does not meet the definition of COVID-19-like illness.

    Exclude person and allow return when symptoms have improved, no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, AND criteria in the Communicable Diseases Summary have been met as applicable. If person develops symptoms of COVID-19-like illness, follow processes below for person with COVID-19-like illness.

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  • UPDATE 6/11/21 - COVID Leave

    During the last year, AACPS offered new leave types and modified existing options to support employees during the COVID-19 pandemic... Read the memo

  • UPDATE 3/15/21 - COVID and out-of-state travel

    The Governor has lifted quarantine and testing requirements for out of state travel. As suchA, nne Arundel County Public Schools is following the Governor’s guidance on this issue. A Maryland Department of Health (MDH) travel advisory remains in place, employees continue to be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 upon their return from out-of-state travel.

  • UPDATE 12/21/20 - COVID and out-of-state travel

    The Governor has amended an existing executive order. Effective December 21, 2020, travel outside of Maryland requires a negative COVID test result or a 10-day quarantine. Travel to Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC is exempted from this executive order.  View this memo about COVID and Out of State Travel.

  • 11/10/20 - Governor Hogan Announces Series of Actions to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

    View series of actions announced to slow the spread of the Coronavirus from the State of MD Office of the Governor - effective 11/11/20 - includes limiting indoor gatherings, an expanded out-of-state travel advisory and other important information

    Read the expanded Travel Advisory

  • 11/5/20 - Maryland renews state travel advisory amid coronavirus case surge

    11/5/20 Update - Maryland renewed its travel advisory amid a marked increased in COVID-19 cases.

    Residents are being asked to avoid travel to and from states with a 10% positivity rate or higher. If they do travel to or from states above that threshold, Governor Larry Hogan has stated they must be tested and self-quarantine before returning.

    The Maryland Department of Health issued a public health advisory for out-of-state travel. Under the advisory, Marylanders are strongly advised against traveling to states with positivity rates of 10% or higher. Anyone traveling from these states should get tested and self-quarantine while awaiting results.

    The public health advisory applies to personal, family, or business travel of any kind. Marylanders are advised to postpone or cancel travel to these areas until their positivity rates decline.

    At this time, the CDC warns that travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. The CDC warns: You can get COVID-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may spread COVID-19 to other people including your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.

  • 10/26/20 - The CDC recently expanded it's "15-Minute Rule for Social Distancing. What are the new guidelines?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has new guidance clarifying what exactly “close contact” means when it comes to transmission of SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

    The previous guidance suggested that a close contact occurred when a person was within six feet of an infectious individual for 15 consecutive minutes. Now, the CDC is acknowledging that even brief contact can lead to transmission. Specifically, the new guidance suggests that those spending a total of 15 minutes of contact with an infectious person over the course of a 24-hour period should be considered in close contact.

    The new guidance suggests that there is more of a dose-response relationship between viral exposure and risk of disease. Which is to say, the more virus you are exposed to, the higher your risk, even if the exposure doesn’t happen all at once.

  • Dr. Arlotto - 7/30/20 Memo Regarding Masks in AACPS Facilities

    Mask Mandate for Visitors and Employees

  • Employee Leave during the COVID-19 Shutdown

    View info about PAID SICK LEAVE AND EXPANDED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT

  • I had COVID-19 (with symptoms) but I cared for myself at home. How do I know when to discontinue isolation and return to work?

    Please answer the following questions:

    1. Has at least 1 day (24 hours) passed since recovery (defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications)? 
    2. Have you shown improvement in symptoms associated with COVID19 (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, sore throat)?
    3. Have at least 10 days passed since symptoms first appeared?

    AACPS will accept a Return to Work note from your doctor however the above requirements must also be met. Requirements are based on current recommendations from the CDC. More information can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html

  • My doctor believes I have COVID and has decided not to administer the test. What do I need to do?

    1. Stay home

    2. Notify your supervisor if either of the following apply:
    • You are currently required to report to duty at an AACPS work site and/or
    • You have reported to an AACPS location for any reason within the last 14 days
    1. Contact the IDLM office iif:
    • your position does not allow you to work from home or
    • you can work from home, but are too ill to do so

    You may be eligible for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).  Leave specialists are available by phone at 410.222.5090, or you may contact Kristi Ward via e-mail at kmward@aacps.org. 

    If you are able to telework you should not take leave.

    1. Return to Work
    • In order to return to any AACPS work location, a doctor must clear you to return to duty in writing.

  • I am being tested for COVID. What do I need to do?

    1. Stay Home
    2. Notify your supervisor if either of the following apply:
    • You are currently required to report to duty at an AACPS work site and/or
    • You have reported to an AACPS location for any reason within the last 14 days

           3. Contact the IDLM (Integrated Leave and Disability Management) office if:

    • your position does not allow you to work from home or
    • you can work from home, but are too ill to do so

    You may be eligible for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).  Leave specialists are available by phone at 410.222.5090, or you may contact Kristi Ward via e-mail at kmward@aacps.org. 

            4.  If you are able to telework you should not take leave.

            5.  Return to Work (please also see the recommendations from the CDC above)

    • If your test is negative, provide documentation of your negative result to your supervisor in order to be permitted to return to duty. 
    • If your test is positive, you may not return to work until a doctor has cleared you to return to duty, in writing.

  • I have been quarantined due to contact with a person who tested positive for COVID. I am not currently ill. What do I need to do?

    1. Stay home

    2.  Notify your supervisor if either of the following apply:
    • You are currently required to report to duty at an AACPS work site and/or
    • You have reported to an AACPS location for any reason within the last 14 days
    1. Contact the IDLM office if your position does not allow you to work from home.  You may be eligible for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).  Leave specialists are available by phone at 410.222.5090, or you may contact Kristi Ward via e-mail at kmward@aacps.org. 

    If you are able to telework you are not eligible for leave.

    1. Return to Work (please also view the CDC recommendations above)

    Most doctors will inform you of the length of the quarantine period.  If you do not develop symptoms, you may return to work when the quarantine period concludes. 

    However, if you become ill, you must contact the doctor for further instructions.  You will be required to produce a written clearance in order to be able to return any AACPS location.