Students returning to Oregon’s classrooms this fall may have ready access to COVID-19 testing, but schools wishing to participate must register for the programs now for the 2021-22 school year. This applies even if they participated last school year. Robust testing programs are offered through the Oregon Health Authority, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education. Opt-in programs include: Diagnostic testing: For students or staff with symptoms of COVID-19 or an exposure to COVID-19, the program uses Abbott BinaxNOW rapid testing kits. This essential access to free testing can help diagnose COVID-19 infection early and, when recommended by the local public health authority, may shorten the duration of quarantine for exposed students. Weekly screening testing for unvaccinated K-12 staff: Staff may opt in to this program. These tests are self-collected at home and sent to a regional laboratory for processing. Weekly screening testing of unvaccinated students[i]: Schools must opt in to the program. Then, households may opt in through their schools for testing performed in collaboration with a regional laboratory partner. Program details vary by region and school. The testing program is a component of the revised “Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework for the 2021-22 School Year”, which was released in June 2021. Regular and reliable screening testing can identify COVID-19 infections early and help slow transmission in K-12 settings. You may also go to the Oregon’s COVID-19 Testing in K-12 schools web page.
[1] The K-12 student screening testing program is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as part of a financial assistance award to the State of Oregon. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HHS or the U.S. Government.
