March 15, 2021
This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs During COVID-19
CDC’s updated Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs during COVID-19 provides information on mask use, screening, keeping children in contained groups, staggering schedules, communal spaces, food service, ventilation and water systems, vaccination, direct service providers, children with special needs, and protecting individuals at higher risk for severe illness. Recommendations include the following:
Everyone 2 years or older should wear a mask in childcare facilities, except when eating or sleeping.
Childcare programs conducting temperature screening should consider a combination of screening methods that use increased distance and physical barriers.
Getting vaccinated as soon as the opportunity is available is an important way for staff to stay safe and be less likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19.
Guidance for Child Care
Vaccinations for Teachers, School Staff and Childcare Workers
Pharmacies that are part of CDC’s Federal Retail Pharmacy Program are giving COVID-19 vaccination priority to all school staff and childcare workers throughout March. To support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directive prioritizing vaccination of teachers, school staff and childcare workers, CDC created a toolkit to help school and childcare administrators and directors encourage staff to get vaccinated. This includes teachers, childcare workers, teaching assistants, paraprofessional educators, office staff, bus drivers, school nurses and counselors, school nutrition staff, coaches and athletic trainers, custodians, and security staff. Education leaders can use the ideas and materials in this toolkit to communicate with staff.
Vaccinations for Teachers
How to Talk to Your Close Contacts
Contact tracing helps protect you, your family, and your community by letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Contact tracing also helps people who may have been exposed to get tested and asks people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact of someone who does. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you can help protect them and others in your community.
Close Contacts
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.
March 15, 2021
US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 29,269,590 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.
CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.
In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.
U.S. Cases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd Atlanta, GA 30329 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: 888-232-6348
