California plans to give rapid COVID tests to all public school kids. Here’s what we know

COVID-19 tests will be made available to every K-12 public school student in California, the governor announced Wednesday.

The students will have access to at-home testing kits so they can get tested before returning to class after winter break.

This is a part of California’s new testing measures to prevent the spread of the omicron variant, which was recently named the most dominant strain of the coronavirus by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“As the Omicron variant spreads rapidly across the country and circulates in all regions of the state, we’re taking immediate, proactive steps to protect Californians with boosters and expanded access to testing,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a news release. “The state is also redoubling our efforts to keep kids safe and keep schools open.”

How will it work?

Earlier this month, the state’s department of health distributed about 2 million COVID tests to schools to prevent virus transmission, according to the announcement.

In the expanded effort, the department will now provide one to two at-home self test kits for every student.

According to the California Department of Public Health, it will administer the kits through various channels and will primarily work with local health authorities with the distribution.

Some kits, however, may be sent directly to schools.

Is testing required for students?

Testing before re-entering school is highly recommended, according to the CDPH, but is not required.

Further information will be provided to schools and families.

Taking an at-home COVID-19 test

Check the instructions first on the box for your test.

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, open the box and follow the instructions for collecting your own nasal or saliva specimen.

After you have the results, discard the specimen collection swab or tube and test in the trash, clean all surfaces that the specimen may have touched and wash your hands.

Remember, if you don’t do it correctly — your test results may be wrong.

Here are a few tips for a successful test, according to the CDC:

• Clean the surface where you will do the test.
• Do not open test devices or other test components until you are ready to start the testing process.
• Have a timer ready because you may need to time several of the test steps.
• Read test results only within the amount of time specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. A result read before or after the specified time frame may be incorrect.
• Don’t reuse test devices or other components.

This story was originally published December 22, 2021 at 3:02 PM with the headline "California plans to give rapid COVID tests to all public school kids. Here’s what we know."