* Press release…
To help ensure schools can more safely resume in-person learning, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced it is expanding access to free COVID-19 testing to all K-12 public schools across Illinois outside of Chicago which received its own federal funding. Schools can choose to utilize the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based test developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), which is able to detect SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals.
“In-person learning is a priority and we want to make sure students, teachers, and staff are able to return to the classroom as safely as possible,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “With the surge in COVID-19 cases and Delta variant, the sooner we know if someone has been infected, the quicker we can take action to prevent the spread of the virus to others. Not only is testing the best way to identify these cases, it can also help keep kids in school with a new Test-to-Stay protocol. We encourage all school districts to take advantage of this free resource.”
As an alternative to quarantine, students and teachers who have been identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case now have the option of a Test-to-Stay protocol. Close contacts must be tested on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after exposure. As long as close contacts remain negative, they are not required to quarantine. Close contacts are only eligible for Test-to-Stay if their school requires universal indoor masking of all individuals (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status, and both the close contact and infected individual were wearing masks at the time of exposure. IDPH encourages all schools to implement weekly testing of their unvaccinated students and staff. Schools that implement weekly testing will be prioritized for Test-to-Stay and outbreak testing when required.
Previously, SHIELD Illinois tests were offered to schools in predominantly low-income communities that have experienced high rates of COVID-19 infection at no-cost. Thanks to additional funding from the federal CARES Act and American Rescue Plan, IDPH has the ability to expand free testing to all K-12 schools outside of Chicago. The classification of low-income school districts is determined by the Illinois State Board of Education’s evidence-based funding criteria.
“From the onset of the pandemic, the University of Illinois System has been committed to helping the state and its people navigate and safely emerge from this crisis,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “The decision by IDPH to provide our test-and-trace system at no cost to many thousands of K-12 students will allow a return to in-person learning and the kinds of educational opportunities for these young people that mean a better tomorrow for us all. We are grateful to state health officials for their leadership through this difficult time, and their ongoing partnership with the U of I System.”
* Related…
* Masks back in demand as Illinois moves to statewide mandate in schools. ‘We are going to be selling masks like crazy.’
- Abe Froman - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:07 pm:
Not sure how much I believe in-person learning is a priority to the governor.
The mask mandate - it was very sensible in a world where the vaccine is on its way and we need 6 months to get it distributed. Now, it just feels like there’s no end to this.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:08 pm:
===Now, it just feels like there’s no end to this===
Vax mandates are the only way out of this disaster.
- Abe Froman - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:11 pm:
Vax mandates are a way out of this. But if you can’t get a vaccine mandate for prison workers or police, how on earth are you going to make it broader? It’s going to have to be the private sector that takes the lead on this since, it appears, the governor is unable to do so.
- illdoc - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:12 pm:
agreed, vaccines have worked to rid ourselves of terrible diseases
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:13 pm:
=== But if you can’t get a vaccine mandate for prison workers or police===
They no longer become… prison workers or police
Mandates with teeth.
Then again, life is full of choices. The unvaccinated are choosing to hurt society. Society can decide things to that choice.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:14 pm:
=But if you can’t get a vaccine mandate for prison workers or police=
Not sure what you do for a living but dealing with union employees isn’t as easy as blinking and making things happen. Unlike what some (banned words) say, the governor is following the law and the science.
- Abe Froman - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:22 pm:
I agree with Oswego Willy on this. I hadn’t been aware that union membership was so strong that you can’t even be terminated for following the state’s vaccine policy during a public health crisis.
If there are legitimate religious or medical contraindications why you cannot be vaccinated, fine. But otherwise, start firing state employees who refuse to comply.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:25 pm:
===But if you can’t get a vaccine mandate for prison workers ===
He’s about to impose one https://capitolfax.com/2021/08/04/p-12-state-mask-mandate-coming/
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 2:29 pm:
I only hope my district takes advantage of Test-to-Stay soon as we start classes next week. Having unvaccinated staff and eligible students test weekly may encourage them to get the vaccine, and our district has said they plan more opportunities for all to sign up for the shots, including other family members.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 3:03 pm:
Vaccine mandates will happen in both the public and private sector. It is the only way out. We’ve tried to appeal to each individuals sense of responsibility and it doesn’t get us to where we need to be.
- Unconventional wisdom - Wednesday, Aug 4, 21 @ 4:47 pm:
This should have been done last FAll.
Good but very, very late response.