NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York will soon provide all families and staff members with a COVID-19 at-home testing kit, the archdiocese announced Wednesday.
As part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s “test-to-stay” program, thousands of testing kits have been delivered to Catholic schools throughout the state.
The tests are to be distributed to any student or staff member who exhibits COVID-like symptoms, or has been in a classroom where a positive cases was identified.
As municipalities and health organizations continue to struggle to stock up on the testing kits, the archdiocese is also working with the governor’s office to be able to provide a testing kit for every member of students’ families as well.
“We are very thankful to Dr. Ted Long, the Executive Director of the New York City Test and Trace Cops, for securing these kits for our staff and families, and we are confident that Governor Hochul and the State of New York will come through for our schools as well,” said Michael J. Deegan, superintendent of schools of the Archdiocese of New York.
“Our number one focus continues to be offering an excellent academic program in a safe and nurturing environment. These kits will go a long way in ensuring our students and faculty have access to proper testing should it be needed,” he added.
School staff will reach out to students and their families with direction on when and how to use the tests provided. A flyer with testing guidelines and information will also be sent home with the kits.
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York serve nearly 55,000 students across 172 schools in ten counties and boroughs, including Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange and Dutchess.
It remains unclear if the Brooklyn Diocese, which oversees Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens, will follow suit.
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