LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- Some K-12 students in Michigan will soon have access to free, at-home COVID-19 antigen tests, as Gov. Whitmer announced a new pilot program Thursday.
The MI Backpack Home Tests program, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is kicking off in two Michigan school districts this week -- Charlotte Public Schools and Battle Creek Public Schools -- while additional districts, including Benton Harbor, which already signed up, will begin the voluntary program after Thanksgiving break.
Whitmer says the program aims to "create a safer environment for K-12 students, parents, teachers and support staff amid the pandemic.
Parents, students and staff will be able to sign up through the program to take home free COVID-19 test kits. Everyone who enrolls will receive one test kit that includes two tests.
MDHHS will provide the kits and educational materials, while schools will distribute the kits to participants.
The announcement of the MI Backpack Home Tests program comes as the state is experiencing a "fourth surge" of COVID-19. Michigan is now among the worst COVID-19 "hot spots" in the country.
Whitmer continues to urge all Michiganders, including children ages 5 and up to get the vaccine.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, said the program is "one more tool to keep our school communities safe and teach kids good health safety practices.
"Along with the safe and effective vaccine, in-school testing, mask wearing, ventilation, social distancing and handwashing, take-home testing allows schools to educate our children safely during the pandemic," she said.
The program expands on the MI Safe School Testing Program, which MDHHS launched back in January.
Next week the MDHHS will ship the kits to the schools in Charlotte and Marquette, who will then distribute them to students and staff. Once they have their test kits, participants will be able to use them at home if they have symptoms or possible exposure to someone else with the virus.
Officials say they're trying to get a "geographically diverse group of schools" to participate in the pilot program so they can measure its effectiveness across the state.
