Living Sky School Division held its board meeting Wednesday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 precautions

Local school divisions await more information on province’s COVID-19 rapid test plans

Mar 26, 2021 | 3:18 PM

Two North Battleford area school divisions are waiting longer to find out more about the province’s plans related to Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID-19 before making any decisions for their schools.

The province announced on March 22 that Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools across Saskatchewan are currently being shipped 100,000 rapid test kits to begin testing for COVID-19 in schools.

Living Sky School Division discussed the issue at this week’s board meeting.

Director of Education Brenda Vickers said there are still a lot of details needed to clarify on how to use the testing kits.

The division also does not have any service providers to administer the tests at this point.

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“In a nutshell, not everything is clear about when, how and even why the test would be used,” Vickers said, adding that the division will meet with the local medical health officer to discuss the matter further.

She said the testing would also need to be voluntary.

Chair Ronna Pethick mentioned she understands many kits are available but not all the machines needed to read them.

Vickers concluded the discussion saying the division will work with the Ministry of Health and “let them lead.”

“Right now we are just not there,” Vickers said.

Light of Christ Catholic School Division Director of Education Cory Rideout said his division is taking the same approach as Living Sky at this point.

“We’re in the same situation,” he said. “We got the tests [kits]. And we are waiting for direction from our local medical health officer to let us know what his recommendations are. Health has to take the lead on this one.”

Rideout said the matter is more complicated than people may believe.

“There are lots of items that will have to be looked at before we consider using them in schools,” he said.

Similar to Living Sky, Rideout said there will be no expectation for Light of Christ staff to administer these tests.

As well, he said parental consent is also an issue for the testing which would be done on a voluntary basis if it does proceed in the future.

The province on behalf of the Ministry of Health issued a request for tenders (competition No. 7983) on March 11 from interested third parties to qualify to provide Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID-19 for any organizations requesting it. For example long term and personal care homes, shelters, group homes, and schools.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW