Cambridge Public Schools: NEW Weekly At-Home Testing

Press release from Cambridge Public Schools:

02/08/2022

NEW Weekly At-Home Testing

NUEVO programa de tests semanales en casa
በቤት-ውስጥ የሚደረገው ሳምንታዊ አዲሱ የፈጣን ምርመራ ፕሮግራም
নতুন সাপ্তাহিক অ্যাট-হোম টেস্টিং প্রোগ্রাম
البرنامج الأسبوعي الجديد للاختبار بالبيت
NOUVO Pwogram Tès Chak Semèn Lakay

Good morning CPS Community:

Earlier this week, we announced that CPS will provide all staff and students a rapid self-test kit for use during February break.

We are writing with additional news. Following the February Break, we will begin implementing a new testing option that will allow our students and staff the opportunity to rapid test at home weekly. This means all students and staff will now have the option to participate in two COVID tests each week: one at school and once at home.

HIGHLIGHTS OF AT-HOME RAPID TESTING PLAN:

If you would like your child to receive a kit the week of the 28th, the opt-in form must be completed by Friday, February 18.

HIGHLIGHTS OF UPDATED IN-SCHOOL TESTING PROTOCOL

We know the move away from Test and Stay and contact tracing may feel like a big change. However, this is a data-driven decision made in collaboration with the Cambridge Department of Public Health. We are fortunate that CPS’ in-school transmission rate is very low. By increasing weekly surveillance testing, our nursing staff can focus on identifying symptomatic individuals as opposed to asymptomatic close contacts. This is a more robust and efficient way to reduce the spread of COVID in our schools.

Vaccines and wearing masks continue to be the best way to protect ourselves and one another. We urge students to get vaccinated, get a booster shot and wear masks.

More information will be shared over the coming days, including graphics and videos on how to properly administer the iHealth rapid test and school procedures for reporting a positive result.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The CPS Team

This press release was produced by Cambridge Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.