West Central to Offer COVID-19 Rapid Test on a Voluntary Basis
Dear West Central Families,
Beginning Monday, March 22 West Central District #235, in coordination with the Henderson County Health Department, will be offering to both our students and staff, on a voluntary basis, a COVID-19 rapid screening test (BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag card). We have made the decision to offer this rapid screening test in an attempt to reduce the loss of in person instructional time and extra-curricular activities.
This rapid screening test would be free and administered at school by our District Nurse, Mrs. Torrance, only if a student or staff member is exhibiting COVID-like symptoms. This test is a nasal test where the testing instrument is placed slightly in each nostril and moved in a circular motion 3-4 times to collect the specimen for the test. Results will be available within the hour, and parents/guardians will be notified of the results. We are also required to notify the Illinois Department of Public Health within 24 hours when a test is administered as well as the results of the test.
Attached to this correspondence is a COVID-19 Screening Informed Consent and Waiver form that provides additional information. If a parent/guardian would like for their child(ren) to receive this COVID-19 rapid test at any point, they would be required to complete and sign the 2nd page of this consent and waiver form and return it to the school prior to the test being administered. This form will be kept on file, and a parent/guardian would be contacted prior to a test being administered.
What benefit is there to receiving a COVID-19 rapid screening test?
If a student or staff member tests negative, then there would be no need to contact trace, and there would be no need for anyone, except the individual exhibiting symptoms, to be sent home; thus, reducing loss of in person instructional time and extra-curricular participation. This would mean siblings or household members of the individual exhibiting symptoms would also not be required to be sent home or quarantined. For the student or staff member who is exhibiting symptoms, this would be considered a normal absence, and the normal handbook rules for absences due to illness would apply, again minimizing the loss of in person instructional time and extra-curricular participation. The student or staff member could then return if symptoms are improving; he/she is no longer experiencing diarrhea or vomiting; and after he/she is fever free without any fever reducing medications for 24 hours.
What if the student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19?
If student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracing would be necessary, and the COVID-19 Interim Exclusion Guidance would apply and be followed.
If you consent for your child to receive a rapid screening test upon becoming symptomatic, please complete the attached COVID-19 Screening Informed Consent and Waiver form and send it to the school your child attends. Even with a signed consent and waiver form, Mrs. Torrance will contact the parent/guardian prior to administering the test.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Mrs. Torrance at (309) 627-2371. Thank you for your continued support.
With gratitude,
Paula Markey
