BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - A new school-based Covid testing program is getting underway in Erie County.
There are 2 different tests in the program. Screening testing that involves weekly random testing of a school's students and staff.
Proximate testing which will be used when a classroom has a positive case. Students in the classroom are not required to quarantine according to state guidance, but a PCR test will be available three to five days after the exposure.
The Erie County Department Of Health says the tests involve a swab sample from inside the mouth. Specimens would be collected either by the student or a staff member. "This is a much less invasive method of collecting a sample, especially compared to other diagnostic tests where a sample is taken from deep inside the nasal cavity," said Erie County Health Commissioner, Dr. Gale Burstein. "Children as young as three years old are able to manage this, with supervision."
Results would be available the next business day to a parent or a school staff member. Buffalo Home Care, Inc. will supervise and transport the specimens to Quadrant Biosciences, a local laboratory. Erie County's school team within the Office of Epidemiology will have access to positive results and would begin contact tracing following positive cases.
Districts have to opt-in and students must have parental consent to participate in either or both programs. School districts and parents can sign up HERE.
"We want to reduce the risk of in-class transmission and keep kids in school," Burstein said. "Our department strongly encourages parents to sign their children up for this program if it is offered by their school."
The Covid tests would be provided as no cost to families or staff. Health insurance is requested during the sign up process, but is not required.
The testing could be available as early as the first week in October.
The program is part of an 18.5 million dollar federal funding initiative.
