Testing for COVID-19 could be coming to public schools in Hastings and Prince Edward.
Director of Education for the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board Sean Monteith says he’s spoken with provincial officials and they are working on a pilot project that would see staff and students tested in the schools.
He says that bringing testing into the schools isn’t about revealing that COVID exists but rather quite the opposite.
“In testing staff and students where the kids are together, especially when they’re asymptomatic, and only to confirm that there are no cases in the schools and that there’s no transmission, only will build confidence in us as a district and in us and our schools for parents and families and staff that schools are safe.”
Monteith says details are still being worked out but the board would likely be the first in Ontario to institute such a plan.
“They actually would be set up right in the school, probably in the gymnasium somewhere. Testing inside the school might beonce or twice a week and would not be operated by us. It would be operated by professionals who are retained by the provincial government.”
Monteith says he’s also already had conversations about the plan with principals and vice principals and his senior team.
Elementary and secondary school students in our area are returning to in-person learning on Monday.
