As previously discussed during the December 15, 2020 Board meeting, Dr. Ivory-Tatum shared early plans for the District to enter into a partnership with the State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Office of the Governor. During this meeting, Dr. Ivory-Tatum shared more detailed plans for COVID-19 rapid testing for both symptomatic students and staff and weekly surveillance for staff.
Providing our own COVID-19 testing will allow us to expedite isolation and quarantine requirements while monitoring for preventing transmission and decreasing the spread in our school community. All of our school sites have been approved as clinical laboratory testing sites to provide on-site antigen testing for our students and staff who feel ill or develop COVID-like symptoms during the school day. Our District nurses will work with parents/guardians/families to test students attending in-person throughout the day. Student consent forms are required!
The District will also have the ability to test for surveillance purposes once a week. Surveillance testing will allow us to monitor the health of our school community, monitor for outbreaks, and identify asymptomatic staff faster and more often. The District is developing a drive-thru testing model to be used implemented at Urbana High School and the School-Based Health Center located off of Iowa St. and Tiger Lane. To view the full presentation, click on the link provided here: USD116 COVID-19 Testing Plans.
