The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education [DESE] announced on Wednesday, December 29, that school districts across Massachusetts will receive 200,000 at-home, rapid antigen tests, enough for all school teachers and staff to receive two each.
Along with the tests, DESE strongly encourages all school personnel to take one test within the last 24 hours before returning to work after the holiday break to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
DESE acquired the tests from an out-of-state vendor and expects to receive the shipment on Thursday, December 30. The department is spending approximately $5.6 million for the tests using federal ESSER funds.
“DESE staff worked very hard to secure these at-home rapid antigen tests for schools and we are all grateful for their efforts and hard work to help schools during this difficult time,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “We all remain committed to keeping schools open despite the recent uptick in COVID cases.” “Doing everything we can to keep students learning in classrooms is critical. Providing these tests to teachers and staff is one more thing we can do to ensure that is possible,” said Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley.
Last week, DESE distributed more than six million KN95 masks to schools to provide one mask per day for all public school teachers and staff, including bus drivers, to wear when school reopens in January.
Local school districts do not make in-person or remote learning decisions. That authority is held by state education officials.
According to WCVB, DESE purchase the tests from Intrivo, a California based company. It produces the On/Go rapid antigen test.
Inage Credit: On/Go, Facebook
