Schools to Distribute COVID Test Kits to Every Student, Staff Member

08/01/2022 -

The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) plans to distribute this week enough COVID-19 antigen test kits to ensure every student and staff member at public, private, and charter schools can test before the first day of school.

SCOE will be distributing the test kits to districts, independent charters, and private schools on Thursday, Aug. 4, and Friday, Aug. 5. School leaders were notified last week with details on how to pick up their allocations. School families and staff should watch for details on how to obtain test kits from their child’s school or district.

Each kit will contain two antigen tests. One is intended to be used to screen students and staff before the first day of school. The second is meant to be held in reserve to test students or staff if they are symptomatic for COVID-19.

“This will be the fourth school year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sonoma County Superintendent of School Steve Herrington. “Although vaccines, advanced treatments, and proactive safety measures mean that we are safer now than we were at the start of the pandemic, we need to do everything we can to limit the virus’s spread and ensure minimal disruption to in-person learning. Making sure that those with COVID are staying home is an important part of any school safety plan.”

Although the COVID-19 vaccine is not required for the 2022-23 school year, it remains an important tool to limit the spread and severity of the illness. School families are encouraged to make sure their students are up to date on all vaccinations for the coming school year.

Media outlets that wish to arrange photos or video of the test distribution to schools, should contact Eric Wittmershaus, director of communications, at ewittmershaus@scoe.org or 707-524-2620.