State Buys 200,000 COVID-19 Tests For Massachusetts Teachers

MASSACHUSETTS — Every Massachusetts school teacher and staff member will be receiving rapid COVID-19 tests to use before returning to school after the holiday break, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education said Wednesday.

Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said the effort was one of the ways officials are working to keep students in classes as COVID-19 cases continue to climb. The 200,000 rapid tests will be sent to school districts, giving them enough for each staff member to get two of the rapid antigen tests, the DESE said.

The DESE is encouraging school employees to take one of the tests at least 24 hours before returning to work.

"DESE staff worked very hard to secure these at-home rapid antigen tests for schools and we are all grateful for their efforts and hard work to help schools during this difficult time," Education Secretary James Peyser said in a statement. "We all remain committed to keeping schools open despite the recent uptick in COVID cases."

As students prepare to return to school after the holidays, COVID-19 cases continue to climb. On Tuesday, Massachusetts reported its 1 millionth COVID-19 case. Residents across the Bay State are scrambling to find ways to test and make sure they're clear after being around family.

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