How are data reported to DPH?
Results are submitted for each rapid, point-of-care antigen test performed for COVID-19 to the Division of Public Health (DPH) within 24 hours by a dedicated and HIPAA-compliant web-based DPH portal.
Read MoreHow many tests per day are feasible?
As the process is adopted and becomes more streamlined in the school setting, up to 100 tests/day can be reasonably expected.
Read MoreHow often should students be tested?
This will depend on the makeup of the school, the number of students learning in person or participating in extra-curricular activities. Depending on the number of students, districts/schools may prioritize populations by grade level (focusing on secondary students, for example), student groups (such as students with special needs who cannot wear face coverings or remain […]
Read MoreCan teachers be part of testing?
At this time, all K-12 teachers have access to routine, periodic testing through Vault. DPH recommends that these tests be used primarily for students.
Read MoreCan we use these tests on symptomatic students?
The primary purpose of the testing is for asymptomatic students. Symptomatic students should be immediately isolated and sent home from school pending clearance by a licensed medical professional.
Read MoreHow is the result analyzed?
For the BD Veritor, test cartridges develop for 15 minutes before being placed into an analyzer, which outputs a reading of positive or negative. For the Abbott BinaxNOW, test cards develop for 15 minutes and read directly—two lines indicates a positive result, one line a negative result.
Read MoreAre other supplies needed during testing?
Staff may want to have a stopwatch (separate from a phone), pens, name labels for samples, a trash can, and information sheets ready for the testing day.
Read MoreDo staff need to wear specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to administer the tests?
Staff administering tests or handling samples should wear a medical facemask and gloves. Gloves should be disposed of as regular garbage and do not need to be included as biohazardous waste.
Read MoreHow is the test conducted or administered?
The test is a nasal swab, which may be administered to a student by an adult; an older student may administer to themselves independently. For more information on administering the BD Veritor test, please see: https://www.bdveritor.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/BD-Veritor-System-for-Rapid-Detection-of-SARS-Co-V-2-Instructions-for-Use.pdf. For more information on administering the Abbott BinaxNOW, please see: https://www.globalpointofcare.abbott/en/support/product-installation-training/navica-brand/navica-binaxnow-ag-training.html.
Read MoreHow accurate are antigen tests in detecting the virus?
SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests are generally less sensitive than the tests given in the community setting, which are nucleic acid viral tests that use reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Although antigen tests are considered to be highly sensitive and specific to detecting active virus, cases of false positives have been reported. Because of the risk […]
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