Managing Possible and Positive COVID-19 Cases at ISP

ISP provides lateral flow (self tests) to all students.  Our weekly community testing day is on Sunday.  Should any student receive a positive test result from their self test, they must immediately inform the school (ispnurse@isparis.net) and begin their isolation.  It is recommended that they proceed to take an antigenic (pharmacy) or RT-PCR (laboratory) test in order to confirm the result.  

A positive case of COVID-19 is defined as a positive result from either an self test, antigenic (pharmacy) or RT-PCR (laboratory) test.  In the event you or your child tests positive from a lateral flow (self) test, you must immediately isolate and it is strongly recommended to have an antigenic or RT-PCR test in order to confirm the results.

In the event of a positive case of COVID-19 at ISP, we will inform the affected grade level families who will receive additional information about the steps they need to take. Please note that the school will not disclose individuals' names or health details in any of our communications.

You will see a summary of the ISP protocols for Primary and Secondary School students below as well as in the section 'When may my child or my child’s teacher, identified as a 'contact at risk', return to school?'

ISP also immediately contacts and informs the French Health Authorities (ARS - l’Agence Régionale de la Santé).  ISP transmits to the ARS the list of possible contacts (children in the same classes, staff, etc).

As always, if someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, you must immediately inform the school and follow the protocols as set forth for a positive COVID-19 case.

We will continue to use our email system (ISP News) to inform the community regarding all COVID-19 updates, including positive cases and protocols for any affected grades. In certain instances, we will add a message via SMS from our emergency contact system in order to ensure that parents receive the information in a timely manner and can make the necessary and required arrangements.

Please make sure that your contact details are up to date, and that you notify us of any changes to your primary email or cell phone numbers. You can communicate any updates to reception@isparis.net at any time.

The student may continue to attend in-person learning. 

There is a contact case testing requirement on Day 2 ; this can be a self test (lateral flow), antigenic (pharmacy) or RT-PCR (laboratory) test. Whilst parents do not need to provide a separate attestation for this Day 2 test, they are required to complete the testing protocol on Day 2 and must immediately inform the school in the event of a positive result.  The only exception to this testing requirement is for those students who have contracted COVID-19 within the past two months - they do not need to test.

A Day 2 self test can be provided by a local pharmacy upon presentation of proof the child is a contact case from school.  This self test will be free of charge to all those with a French health card.

Remaining in school is only possible if the student does not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

In the absence of the self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test results from the Day 2 test, the student must remain out of school until it is provided, for a maximum of 7 days.

All student (whether or not they are fully vaccinated) may continue to attend in-person learning. 

There is a contact case testing requirement on Day 2 ; this can be a self test (lateral flow), antigenic (pharmacy) or RT-PCR (laboratory) test. Whilst parents do not need to provide a separate attestation for this Day 2 test, they are required to complete the testing protocol on Day 2 and must immediately inform the school in the event of a positive result.  The only exception to this testing requirement is for those students who have contracted COVID-19 within the past two months - they do not need to test.

A Day 2 self test can be provided by a local pharmacy upon presentation of proof the child is a contact case from school.  This self test will be free of charge to all those with a French health card.

Remaining in school is only possible if the student does not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

In the absence of the self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test results from the Day 2 test, the student must remain out of school until it is provided, for a maximum of 7 days.

In France, you are considered to have a complete vaccination cycle for COVID-19 when you have completed the required injections (1, 2, or 3, with booster depending on your health profile) of Pfizer, Moderna or Astra Zeneca (at least 7 days following the last required injection) or Janssen (at least 4 weeks following injection).

The EU approved vaccines are: Cominarty® - Pfizer, COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna®, Vaxzeria® - Astra Zeneca, Covishied® - Astra Zeneca and Covid-19 vaccine - Janssen®.

As of January 15, 2022, all adults 18 years and older will be required to have a booster shot in order for their pass vaccinal to remain valid (this may not be applicable if the person has recently contracted COVID-19).  The booster shot can happen as of 4 months following the last injection.  In the absence of this booster shot, or a valid certificate of recovery from COVID-19, the pass vaccinal will be deactivated four months after the last injection.

You can find more information on the approved vaccinations from the European Medicines Agency.

Please follow the link below for the attestation which indicates your child has received a full and complete vaccination cycle for COVID-19.  This attestation can be returned to our school nurse team at ispnurse@isparis.net.  

Sign Attestation Link Here

Siblings of any student designated as a contact at risk may come to school normally, as long as they have no symptoms. 

Children who test negative on Day 2 may continue to attend school, even if household members are positive.  However, these children cannot attend school if they are symptomatic (even if their test is negative).  We also ask that families pay close attention to their individual circumstances and to contact us with any questions or concerns.

We will set up appropriate online home learning for students who must be out of school as high risk contacts at risk, as well as those students who are COVID-19 positive. The learning will take place through our Online Home Learning Website, and we will contact families with the details within approximately 24 hours. Instructions regarding Online Home Learning can be found on our website, COVID-19 and Learning.

If you have been vaccinated in the EU, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland, UK (England and Wales only), you already have an EU Digital Covid Certificate, which is accepted in France (you do not need a separate COVID certificate).

If you have been vaccinated outside these geographic areas with a vaccine that is accepted by the European Medicines Agency, you can apply for a COVID certificate by sending in the required documentation and filling out the application form.

Separate email addresses are in place to receive your application, depending on your place of residence and if you are a French national.

All information can be found in English on the France Diplomacy website.

• The student is placed in the isolation room, respecting all barrier gestures and wearing a mask.
• ISP contacts the parents.  Parents must immediately come to pick up their child from school, or may provide authorisation for Middle/High School students to leave school unaccompanied.  Attention must be paid to respect all barrier gestures and to avoid others (for example, do not take public transportation).
• The family should immediately consult a physician.  A student who has presented COVID-19 symptoms may not return to school unless they have consulted a physician.

The student may return to school:

• If their parents provide a written attestation (see Attestation Link HERE) noting they have consulted a physician and a COVID-19 test was not prescribed.

• Otherwise, the student may return to school after 7 days (if there is no fever).

Students in pre-school are not required to wear a mask. 

One positive COVID-19 case amongst students implies that their classmates are contacts at risk.  All students in the grade level must be tested on Day 2 with an self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test.  

(Please see ‘What happens if a student or a staff member at ISP test positive for COVID-19’  and 'What happens where there is a positive case in the primary school?' above).

One positive COVID-19 case amongst students implies that their classmates are contacts at risk.  All students in the grade level must be tested on Day 2 with a self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test. 

(Please see ‘What happens if a student or a staff member at ISP test positive for COVID-19’ and 'What happens where there is a positive case in the primary school?' above).

One positive COVID-19 case amongst students implies that their classmates are contacts at risk.  All students in the grade level must be tested on Day 2 with a self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test. 

(Please see ‘When may my child, identified as a 'contact at risk', return to school?’ and 'What happens when there is a positive case in secondary school?' for additional details.)

The student may continue to attend in-person learning. 

There is a contact case testing requirement on Day 2; this can be a self test (lateral flow), antigenic (pharmacy) or RT-PCR (laboratory) test. Whilst parents do not need to provide a separate attestation for this Day 2 test, they are required to complete the testing protocol on Day 2 and must immediately inform the school in the event of a positive result.  The only exception to this testing requirement is for those students who have contracted COVID-19 within the past two months - they do not need to test.

A Day 2 self test can be provided by a local pharmacy upon presentation of proof the child is a contact case from school.  This self test will be free of charge to all those with a French health card.

Remaining in school is only possible if the student does not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

In the absence of the self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test results from the Day 2 test, the student must remain out of school until it is provided, for a maximum of 7 days.

The student may continue to attend in-person learning. 

There is a contact case testing requirement on Day 2; this can be a self test (lateral flow), antigenic (pharmacy) or RT-PCR (laboratory) test. Whilst parents do not need to provide a separate attestation for this Day 2 test, they are required to complete the testing protocol on Day 2 and must immediately inform the school in the event of a positive result.  The only exception to this testing requirement is for those students who have contracted COVID-19 within the past two months - they do not need to test

A Day 2 self test can be provided by a local pharmacy upon presentation of proof the child is a contact case from school.  This self test will be free of charge to all those with a French health card.

Remaining in school is only possible if the student does not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

In the absence of the self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test results from the Day 2 test, the student must remain out of school until it is provided, for a maximum of 7 days. 

The student may continue to attend in-person learning, regardless of their vaccination status. 

There is a contact case testing requirement on Day 2; this can be a self test (lateral flow), antigenic (pharmacy) or RT-PCR (laboratory) test. Whilst parents do not need to provide a separate attestation for this Day 2 test, they are required to complete the testing protocol on Day 2 and must immediately inform the school in the event of a positive result.  The only exception to this testing requirement is for those students who have contracted COVID-19 within the past two months - they do not need to test.

A Day 2 self test can be provided by a local pharmacy upon presentation of proof the child is a contact case from school.  This self test will be free of charge to all those with a French health card.

Remaining in school is only possible if the student does not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

In the absence of the self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test results from the Day 2 test, the student must remain out of school until it is provided, for a maximum of 7 days.

The staff member is required to be tested for COVID-19 with a self test, antigenic or RT-PCR test on Day 2.  The only exception to this are those staff members who have contracted COVID-19 within the past two months - they are not required to test or to isolate.

Any period of absence will have to be covered by an "arrêt de travail".

The isolation periods for students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are as follows (Day 0 as of positive test date):

1. The isolation period for students younger than 12 years old (regardless of vaccination status) is 7 days.  This isolation period may be reduced to 5 days, if the child has no further symptoms (fever, etc) within the past 48 hours and the result of an antigenic of RT-PCR test taken on Day 5 is negative.
2. The isolation period for students 12 years and older and for staff who are fully vaccinated is 7 days.  This isolation period may be reduced to 5 days, if the child or staff member has no further symptoms (fever, etc) within the past 48 hours and the result of an antigenic of RT-PCR test taken on Day 5 is negative.
3. The isolation period for students 12 years and older and for staff who are not fully vaccinated is 10 days.  This isolation period may be reduced to 7 days, if the child or staff member has no further symptoms (fever, etc) within the past 48 hours and the result of an antigenic of RT-PCR test taken on Day 7 is negative.

The isolation periods for students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are as follows (Day 0 as of date from which symptoms appear):

1. The isolation period for students younger than 12 years old (regardless of vaccination status) is 7 days.  This isolation period may be reduced to 5 days, if the child has no further symptoms (fever, etc) within the past 48 hours and the result of an antigenic of RT-PCR test taken on Day 5 is negative.
2. The isolation period for students 12 years and older and for staff who are fully vaccinated is 7 days.  This isolation period may be reduced to 5 days, if the child or staff member has no further symptoms (fever, etc) within the past 48 hours and the result of an antigenic of RT-PCR test taken on Day 5 is negative.
3. The isolation period for students 12 years and older and for staff who are not fully vaccinated is 10 days.  This isolation period may be reduced to 7 days, if the child or staff member has no further symptoms (fever, etc) within the past 48 hours and the result of an antigenic of RT-PCR test taken on Day 7 is negative.