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(CNN) ––
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guide to child care programs during the pandemic on Friday.
The new guidelines emphasize the importance of mask use for everyone over the age of 2, as well as ventilation and other strategies.
“At the beginning of last year, the CDC published an initial guide for child care programs during covid-19.
As we learn more about the virus, CDC experts updated those guidelines several times in 2020, "said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the entity, this Friday.
A year after the pandemic was declared, the numbers of covid-19 in the United States are too high to relax yet, warns the director of the CDC
"Now the CDC is reissuing its updated guide, based on the latest scientific data," added Walensky.
“That scientific data includes additional evidence showing that, when implemented consistently and correctly, prevention strategies - such as wearing masks, staying home if you feel sick, and good hand hygiene - can allow child care programs operate safely and reduce the spread of covid-19, "he said.
The guide also notes that vaccines are "an important tool" to help stop the pandemic.
"I also want to emphasize that our childcare guide emphasizes the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 as an additional layer of prevention for child care workers," said Walensky.
"I strongly encourage child care employees in America to get vaccinated."
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Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services ordered providers of the COVID-19 vaccine to make the doses available to education and child care workers.
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The childcare guide was updated on the CDC website this Friday.
The document states that "even after child care providers and staff are vaccinated, it will be necessary to continue preventive measures in the near future."
Among which are "the use of masks, physical distancing and other important prevention strategies described in this orientation," added the entity.
The guidelines recommend that everyone 2 years of age and older in a child care setting should wear a mask, except when eating or sleeping.
Furthermore, they indicate that masks should not replace physical distancing.
And the CDC does not advise face shields or goggles as a substitute for face masks.
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The guide "also highlights strategies like cohort," Walensky said.
Under this measure, "groups of children are kept together with the same peers and staff to reduce the risk of spread in the program," he added.
Additionally, the guidelines advise increasing air ventilation by opening doors and windows when it is safe to do so.
In addition, they include tips on how to adapt environments for children with disabilities and special needs.
Also ways to make common spaces, eating areas, and play areas safer during the pandemic.
The $ 1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which President Joe Biden signed into law Thursday, includes funding for child care programs.
That money can be used to implement the security measures recommended by COVID-19, Walensky said during the briefing on Friday.
"The American Rescue Plan, signed yesterday by the president, includes $ 24 billion in emergency funds to help child care providers," he said.
“This funding can be used to pay for rent, utilities and staff.
But also to help child care providers implement covid-19 prevention strategies, "he completed.
The updated guide for child care programs is released nearly a month after the agency announced guidelines for reopening schools.
Those recommendations focused on five key covid-19 mitigation strategies.
First, the universal and correct use of masks, followed by physical distancing.
As a third point, hand washing.
On the list are the cleaning of facilities and improvement of ventilation;
and finally contact tracking, isolation and quarantine.
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Neither vaccines nor screening tests were included among the "key" strategies established by the agency.
Instead, the guide called them "additional layers" of COVID-19 prevention.
When it comes to child care programs, the CDC's recently updated guidance "includes strategies that programs can use to maintain healthy environments and operations, with the goal of reducing the risk of covid-19 outbreaks in their programs," he said. Walensky.
Also "to prepare for when someone is sick with covid-19, as well as" to support the resilience of its staff and the children and parents they serve, "the CDC director completed.
“This updated guide is for all types of child care providers.
Including child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start programs, and preschool programs.
It is intended to supplement, not replace, other laws, rules or regulations that child care programs must follow, ”said Walensky.
“Recognize that counseling can sometimes be complex.
We are also launching a set of complementary resources, infographics and toolkits to help programs with implementation.
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