WASHINGTON (WDVM) — Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced extra actions the district is taking to fight the COVID-19 pandemic whereas additionally attempting to maintain as many college students in colleges as attainable.
To fight this surge in COVID-19 instances, Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced that residents 65 and older can now decide up free speedy assessments at six senior wellness facilities. Additionally, well being officers ask residents to not take a PCR take a look at if their speedy is constructive.
“We’ve talked loads about balancing sources locally, in order that’s simply taking on one other useful resource that isn’t mandatory,” stated Patrick Ashley, Senior Deputy Director at DC Well being Division. “It’s best to deal with that as constructive, and go house and isolate.”
Additionally, shifting ahead, anytime there’s not less than every week break from faculty, the district will distribute speedy assessments to all public and constitution colleges earlier than college students return. Starting this week, the town will distribute one take a look at package per week to kindergarten and pre-Ok college students and workers. These assessments might be accessible by Friday every week and a damaging take a look at is required to return on Monday.
“We discovered loads from what we did final week, and we won’t be utilizing tutorial days to face up this system shifting ahead,” stated Dr. Christina Grant, DCPS Performing Superintendent.
Planning is also underway to launch a brand new test-to-stay mannequin to permit college students who’re in shut contact and never vaccinated the flexibility to take a collection of speedy assessments to stay in-person studying.
“Check-to-stay actually applies to these youngsters who could also be uncovered to a constructive case, a constructive classmate particularly, and aren’t vaccinated,” stated Bowser. “But when they’re vaccinated, test-to-stay doesn’t even come into play.
For the rest of the varsity 12 months, colleges may also proceed symptomatic testing and random asymptomatic testing at 20 p.c, with the flexibility to check as much as 30 p.c.
