More than a month into another school year that's been hit by COVID-19, some Northeast Wisconsin school districts have new plans to fight the spread of the virus.
The School District of West De Pere has been offering free on-site drive-thru COVID-19 testing for staff outside Westwood Elementary School since the beginning of the school year. It's part of a federally funded program through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
People can drive right up to the door on the side of the school building and sit in their car to be tested.
"Our staff members were waiting for a couple of days to be able to access a testing appointment at a community site. So to be able to offer it internally I think has been a benefit," said Amy Schuh, School District of West De Pere director of student services. "That was our whole hope, was to try to maintain as much in-person learning as possible and to get staff members into the classroom as fast as possible for consistency of learning."
Now that testing will include all students as well. Test results typically return within 24 to 48 hours.
"The biggest benefit is if you test today, for the most part, you do have your test results back right away by tomorrow morning, sometimes as early as 6 a.m. But if you do have a negative test result you can go right back to school," Schuh said.
Prevea Health has paired with West De Pere since mid-September to conduct the COVID-19 tests for faculty. The health system will take part in the expansion by testing district students, too.
"One of the ways to control any kind of viral outbreak is to test, trace and isolate. So the more testing we have available, the easier we make it," said Dr. Ashok Rai, Prevea Health president & CEO. "It's one of the biggest tools we have outside vaccination to control the pandemic. And to bring testing to the people, rather than the people to the test, is a huge improvement."
Testing is currently conducted four-half days a week. The district plans to expand testing to two full days and two half-days later this month.
Meanwhile, the Appleton Area School District is set to offer a free COVID-19 testing program for students and staff. According to a news release, AASD is partnering with a diagnostic biotechnology company that was connected to the district through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The information states PCR testing will be offered to symptomatic students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. If a student becomes symptomatic during the day, a staff member with the diagnostic biotechnology company will travel to the school and conduct the test. That student will then go home with a parent or guardian.
If a student becomes symptomatic overnight, families can bring their child to the AASD Welcome Center to be tested. Hours of operation will be shared in the near future.
Test results take 24 to 48 hours. The release states COVID-19 tests are optional but strongly encouraged. Kids can still attend school even if they're not enrolled in the program.
