Rhode Island Expands COVID-19 'Test To Stay' Program In Schools

PROVIDENCE, RI — After a successful pilot program, Rhode Island's "test to stay' program is now open to all districts in the state, Gov. Dan McKee announced Wednesday.

The program was launched as a trial run in late October in Westerly schools. During the pilot, 315 school days were "saved" McKee said, meaning that students were able to stay in classrooms for the equivalent of that many days, rather than quarantining at home following a COVID-19 exposure.

The program works by changing the quarantine process after a student is identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. Rather than isolating at home, students will be tested each morning for seven days, before heading to class.

Anna Riley, the deputy commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education, said the 30-day pilot program was extremely successful. During that time, no tertiary cases were identified, she said, meaning no students or staff tested positive for COVID-19 after coming in contact with test to stay students.

More information is available on the Department of Education's reopening website.

Vaccines

State leaders also reminded parents of the importance of getting school-aged children their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

"We're glad for the work that has been done in getting 94 percent of adults vaccinated, but there is still work to be done for our children," said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

There are about 200,000 kids in the state. To date, about 20,000 kids between the ages of 5 and 11 have gotten a vaccine, McKee said.

Riley said the department asked all districts in the state to hold at least two in-school clinics once vaccines were approved for younger children.

"Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to get vaccinated, regardless of zip code," she said.

Along with getting vaccinated, Riley encouraged families to remind students of the importance of proper mask-wearing in schools, teach good hand hygiene and to monitor kids closely for symptoms of COVID-19. If a child develops any symptoms of illness, get tested right away.