MDH announces new COVID testing options for schools

Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced new COVID-19 testing options for schools.

The state says schools will have access to individual PCR tests, pooled PCR tests and rapid tests, both antigen and molecular. Schools will be able to assess which tests work best for their community and then develop their own testing program, the departments say. Due to the rise in delta variant cases, testing in schools is strongly encouraged by MDH and MDE.

"We must use every available tool to keep our students in classrooms because we know that is best for their well-being and academic success," MDE Commissioner Heather Mueller said. "We stand ready to partner with and support our school leaders across the state as they develop local COVID-19 testing plans that keep our students, staff and families healthy and safe."

MDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending all unvaccinated children and school staff to get tested for COVID-19 at least weekly during the year, based on current levels of community spread in Minnesota. Unvaccinated children in sports and other extracurricular activities should be tested more frequently, the departments said.

Vaccinated students and staff should get tested if they’re experiencing symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.

"Getting people vaccinated as soon as possible is critical for our long-term success against COVID-19," MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. "Meanwhile, for those who are not yet vaccinated, regular screening testing is an important tool to know they are healthy, get the care they need if they are sick, and prevent the spread of the virus to others. Regular testing, along with masking and the other layers of prevention, gives our schools, students, families and educators the best chance of getting the school year off to a successful and healthy start."

For more information on the state’s school testing recommendations, click here.

To see the state’s Vaccine Connector, click here.