Health & Wellness

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The information contained in these pages is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical care. Any questions you have should be brought to the attention of your primary care physician.

For more information about BOCES 2 Health & Wellness, please contact: 

Barbara M. Swanson RN, MSN, FNP, MSHA 
School Nurse Practitioner
Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES
Ph: (585) 352-2749
[email protected]

Fight Flu at Home and School

The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent flu. It is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older every year. Getting vaccinated can prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in children. The vaccine can also reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, and missed work and school days. Click here for information about the flu.
Free materials about flu and flu vaccination are also available from the organizations listed below.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A student who displays signs or symptoms of pending Sudden Cardia Arrest during physical activities (defined at PE, recess or similar activities during the school day) must be immediately removed from such activity and evaluated by a health car provider. The students cannot return until the school nurse received written clearance from a health care providers, nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA). The written authorization to resume physical activities must be on file in the student's cumulative health record.

School must follow any limitations or restrictions concerning school attendance and physical activities ordered by the student's physician or health care provider. Cardiac Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be on site per BOCES #5142 policy.

For more information on signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, visit the following website: https://health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/sca

COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccine Hotlines Ending March 29, 2024

During the past year, the number of calls to the COVID-19 & COVID-19 Vaccine hotlines has decreased. The NYSDOH released a notification to communicate that the operation of the Department’s COVID-19 and Vaccine Hotlines will end at 5:00 pm on Friday, March 29, 2024.

The New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 hotline [1-888-364-3065] and Vaccine hotline [1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829)] will no longer be in service effective 5:00 pm on Friday, March 29, 2024. Additionally, on March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.

Update: 3/2024 CDC Guidelines for COVID

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently changed its guidance regarding people who test positive for COVID.

Previously the CDC recommended that people who test positive for COVID isolate for five days. Updated guidance provided by the CDC now states that people who test positive for COVID no longer need to isolate if they have been fever-free for 24 hours AND their symptoms are improving.  In addition, the CDC now recommends that people who test positive for COVID wear a mask for 5 days (after they have been fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving).  For more information, please visit About Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC