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IDPH announced plan to expand COVID-19 testing to schools in Illinois


SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health Announced a $225 million investment to expand access to fast COVID-19 testing to middle and high schools across the state at low or no cost. The covidSHIELD test, which was developed by the University of Illinois, is a saliva-based test instead of a nasal swab that quickly detects the virus, including in people who aren’t exhibiting symptoms. Results will be available within 12-24 hours after the sample reaches the lab. The specimens will be collected at each participating school and parental consent is required. For schools opting to use the testing it will be free in districts that are predominately low-income. Other districts will receive a discounted fee of $10 per test.
“For in-person learning to occur, we need to help make schools as safe as possible for students, teachers, and staff,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “To help prevent an outbreak, it is important to identify cases of COVID-19 as quickly as possible. Having testing readily available in schools can make it easier for more students to be tested and cases identified quicker. Testing, along with vaccination and masking, will help all of Illinois get back to in-person learning.”

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