Rapid COVID-19 Tests Headed To K-12 Schools In North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina public health officials are making COVID-19 testing easier for teachers, students and parents as more children head back to classrooms across the state. All K-12 and charter schools will have access to free rapid COVID-19 tests for staff and students exhibiting symptoms, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday.

The news comes as the state wrapped up a three-month pilot test program in 17 public schools and 11 charter schools in the state.

"When schools implement testing combined with the state’s strong mitigation strategies, they can detect new cases to prevent outbreaks and reduce the risk of further transmission," DHHS said in a statement.

As of March 4, North Carolina reported at least 63 clusters of five or more related cases, and 1,752 active positive cases in K-12 schools in the state.

"Layering mitigation efforts is essential to reduce the spread of the virus as we re-open our schools," State Health Director and DHHS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson said in a statement.

A test of the on-site rapid test strategy made things easier for working parents, as well as teachers and staff, according to one school nurse in Lenoir County.

"Our staff has been able to rapidly identify positive cases and conduct contact tracing in a timely manner; thus, keeping our school safe," said April Hardy, school nurse for Lenoir County Public Schools and liaison for the Lenoir County health department. "In addition, staff and students identified as close contacts have been able to return back to school sooner with such easily accessible tests."

Schools have two options for requesting tests, according to DHHS:

• For all individuals, including students, their families and school staff, who are symptomatic or had known exposure to a confirmed positive case
• Once weekly screening of all adults – including teachers and staff

Schools who want to provide the rapid testing must obtain parental/guardian consent prior to testing, maintain adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, have trained personnel to administer tests or partner with a local health provider, DHHS said. The test results must also be reported to public health officials.

More information about the DHHS COVID-19 Antigen Testing program in schools may be found here.

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