The Government of Saskatchewan is shipping out 100,000 COVID-19 rapid tests to K-12 schools around the province.
The rapid antigen tests are done with a short nasal swab and can be administered by someone who has completed a training program through the SHA lab.
Teachers or school staff will not be the ones expected to do these tests, however. Schools will be working with local medical professionals to make sure that testing is done where appropriate and ensure with parents and caregivers that consent is in place.
If a positive case is found, it will require a Polymerase Chain Reaction test, to be provided by the SHA. A negative test will not need to be confirmed as long as the person shows no COVID symptoms.
This testing may begin as early as this week, and is being implemented by the Ministries of Education and Health, along with the SHA.