2.8 APS to Continue Expansion of COVID-19 Surveillance Testing This Week

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Office of Communications and Public Engagement
130 Trinity Avenue SW | Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Ian Smith, Executive Director
404-802-2855, office
404-603-6934, cell
ian.smith@atlanta.k12.ga.us

 

Seth Coleman, Media Relations Manager
404-802-2891, office
404-406-5570, cell
seth.coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

February 8, 2021

 

APS to Continue Expansion of COVID-19 Surveillance Testing This Week

Nearly 500 students and staff members were tested last week as part of the District’s comprehensive strategy to mitigate COVID-19 in schools and the community

Nearly 500 Atlanta Public Schools students and staff members participated in the District’s voluntary COVID-19 surveillance testing program last week, during its soft launch at eight schools, as students in Grades PreK-2 whose families opted for a return to in-person learning went back into their classrooms.

This week, the testing program will expand as the next phase of the District’s phased-in return to in-person instruction continues with the addition of students in Grades 3-5. Additionally, testing will be available for APS employees at the District’s Transportation and Facilities headquarters.

The APS surveillance testing program, being conducted by local vendor Viral Solutions, is one part of the District’s comprehensive strategy to mitigate COVID-19 in schools and the community by providing extensive testing for:

  • Students, teachers, and staff with symptoms identified through the health screening protocols
  • Students, teachers, and staff who have had contact with someone with COVID-19 in the school or workplace
  • All students, faculty, and staff with possible exposure in the context of outbreak settings
  • Surveillance testing for individuals who are asymptomatic

The strategy includes:

Surveillance Testing – The District is continuing its effort to keep everyone in our schools and buildings safe by making COVID-19 Surveillance Testing available to all students and staff. COVID-19 Surveillance Testing is a non-diagnostic test that detects the presence of COVID-19 even in individuals who may be asymptomatic. The benefits of surveillance testing include allowing APS to test, receive test results (within 24 hours) and notify individuals of a clinically significant reading before coming to school or work.

School-based health clinics – As part of our testing strategy, we have developed cluster-based testing options (Jackson, South Atlanta, Washington, and Mays) at our APS Health Clinics for students and staff. Click here for school-based locations and times.

APS COVID-19 Drive-Up & Walk-Up Testing at Douglass High School – Held in partnership with Viral Solutions, LLC., and Pediatric Researchers from Emory University, testing is open to ALL students, staff and families five days per week. It will launch Feb. 22, 2021.

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) Response – Community-based testing options are available to APS students, staff and families within the city of Atlanta. In-home, at school, and worksite testing options are available on demand through the District’s partnership with CORE Response (Community Organized Relief Effort).

For more information on our COVID-19 Testing Strategy, visit: 

https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/COVID-testing. Learn more in "The Week With Dr. Herring."

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About Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 51,000 students across 87 schools and five programs. The District is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 64 traditional schools, 19 charter schools, six partner schools, two alternative schools and five alternative programs. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, follow us on social media – Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.