Superintendent Anna Shepherd announces that Floyd County Schools will be offering free voluntary COVID-19 testing for students and staff beginning Monday, October 25, 2021.
Shepherd says, “We are committed to taking the steps necessary to help us stay in school. As part of our steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep our school open for in-person learning, we will offer a free voluntary COVID-19 Testing Program for students and staff in their schools. This is simply a testing site, like others in our community, but one that will be more convenient for students and staff. Symptomatic testing will help protect our students, staff, family members, and others who are not vaccinated or are otherwise at risk for getting seriously sick from COVID-19.”
Shepherd says this program will help identify COVID-19 cases quickly and early, which can help us stop an outbreak before it happens. Early identification will help us keep students in the classroom and able to take part in the school activities they love.
Floyd County Schools is working with the Floyd County Health Department and is joining other school districts throughout the state that offer this program.
- Who will be tested? We will offer voluntary testing to all students and staff if they have symptoms of COVID-19. Testing is available for students and staff who have symptoms of COVID-19, even if vaccinated, or who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- How is the testing done? The COVID-19 testing is free, quick, and easy. Members of our school health office staff will oversee testing which will be an antigen test, which includes: Gently swabbing the inner part of the lower nostril. This test is not painful. We do not use the longer swabs that reach higher into the nose.
- Where and when is the testing done? Our school’s testing will be performed in the health office at the school. Results will be available within 20 minutes.
- How can I be sure that my child’s information will be protected? Sharing of information about your child will only be done for public health purposes and in accordance with applicable law and policies protecting student privacy and the security of your child’s data.
Shepherd comments, “We want everyone to know we are starting this program Monday, October 25. This testing is for students and staff who are showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19 while in school. Of course students under age 18
must have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian OR be accompanied by a parent or guardian.”
To learn more or fill out a consent for your child, please call the school that your child attends. Visit https://t.ly/HNvl for the consent form.
Concluding, Shepherd says, “We are extremely grateful to our committed families and staff who continue to show great flexibility and resilience as we work together to contain the spread of this virus and remain at school for in-person learning.”