Rapid COVID testing heading to Sask. schools
The Government of Saskatchewan says K-12 schools across the province are currently being shipped 100,000 rapid test kits which could start being put to use later this week. The Health ministry says it will help monitor school environments but the opposition NDP says the government has been too slow with rapid testing and is sending mixed messages to the public as COVID-19 variants of concern increase.
“A rapid testing program in schools is another excellent tool to help monitor the presence of COVID-19,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a media release Monday. “The safety of students, teachers, and school staff is our government’s priority, and school staff and students have done an excellent job in helping to prevent transmission of the virus.”
Teachers and school staff are not expected to administer the tests, the government said.
“Our goal is the health and safety of all Saskatchewan residents,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in the release. “This additional measure gives us another tool to monitor school environments and take further steps to protect the health and safety of staff and students if necessary.”