CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Public Schools has reported relatively low COVID-19 cases during the first two weeks of classes but the Chicago Teachers Union said that’s because testing and contact tracing have been a failure so far.
The district reported 245 COVID-19 cases and about 5,500 people with potential exposure.
CPS missed a deadline this week to offer testing to all students and staff who opt in. The teachers union said it believes the district should have an opt-out testing program.
"Ninety-seven percent of students and buildings aren't being tested. If CPS's objective is to actually provide safety to catch positive cases and prevent exposures in schools and keep schools open for in-person learning, it actually needs to test students and staff," said Thad Goodchild, the union’s attorney.
A statement from the school district said it is ramping up testing.
CPS only has testing consent for 9,400 of the 340,000 students in its district.
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