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The frustration felt by Breland and other parents across the country comes as the United States continues to face a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant spreads and vaccination rates remain low for some age groups.

The surge in cases is happening as students are back in school, resulting in new demands on parents and school officials when it comes to testing and quarantining.

More than 1.2 million children have tested positive since they returned to classrooms in late July, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.

\"We know that the delta [variant] is more infectious in nature, and that also pertains to children,\" said Dr. Bessey Geevarghese, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. \"So we're definitely are seeing more [COVID-19] positive kids.\"

While policies may vary by school district, the general recommendation is for people to quarantine for 10 to 14 days after being in close contact, like a classroom, with someone who is COVID-positive, according to Geevarghese.

When it comes to testing, Geevarghese said the recommendation is to wait and get tested three to five days after exposure to COVID-19. And even if the test is negative, the quarantine should still last 10 to 14 days.

If a person starts developing symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, the quarantine starts on that day, explained Geevarghese.

\"Symptoms like a fever, cough, severe fatigue, loss of taste or smell, those should peak your concerns,\" said Geevarghese. \"I would encourage parents to have a high index of suspicion and definitely not send your child to school if they're not feeling themselves.\"

Parents can also help their kids stay as safe as possible by following general COVID-19 guidelines, like wearing a face mask indoors, practicing social distancing and keeping children, especially those not old enough to be vaccinated yet, only around people who are vaccinated, according to Geevarghese.

\"All the things that we've sort of harped on over the last few months definitely do play a role in decreasing transmission, especially to those kids that are not yet eligible to get a vaccine,\" she said. \"I know we’re fearful of sending kids [to school] but if everyone follows the guidelines, we really can keep our kids in school, which is so important for them.\"

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