Voluntary asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 will soon be offered to in-person learners, their households and staff in schools. School boards will share the dates, times and locations of COVID-19 clinics with their school communities. The clinics will also be open to families who have children in childcare and before and after school programs at the testing site.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon (CSC Nouvelon), Rainbow District School Board (RDSB), Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCSDB) and Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario (CSPGNO) are co-ordinating the clinics with the Ministry of Education by geographic area.
A third-party service provider will administer the rapid tests. Positive results from the rapid tests will be referred to the assessment centre for further testing. As required under Public Health legislation, positive results from the rapid tests will also be sent to Public Health Sudbury & Districts for follow up.
Participants will schedule an appointment with the service provider online. The service provider will obtain the necessary consent. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Students under 18 years of age will require parent/guardian consent for testing. All testing sites will run in a COVID-safe manner.
"School and in-person learning is an essential priority. We are fortunate to be able to continue to offer in-person learning in our area and it's vital we protect it," said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. "Schools give children stable daily routines, nutrition programs, physical activity opportunities, and social connections that are essential for emotional wellbeing."
She added: "School settings also help to build children's skills and shape mental and physical health. Locally, Public Health and School Boards are working together to ensure infection prevention protocols are in place. Surveillance testing is yet another important tool that can help keep our schools safe. Everyone's top priority is the health and safety of students and school staff."
This targeted testing is not open to any students or staff who have recently been advised by Public Health that they must self-isolate or seek COVID-19 testing, or remote learners.
The testing will supplement infection prevention protocols in place in schools such as screening, hand washing, masking, cohorting and physical distancing.
Hosting clinics by geographic area will maximize resources and testing capacity, ensuring as many individuals as possible can take advantage of the opportunity. The results will provide a snapshot of COVID-19 within a pocket of the community.
Information about asymptomatic testing clinics will be posted on school board websites:
For more information
296, rue Van Horne
Sudbury Ontario
Canada P3B 1H9
www.cspgno.ca
