Pilot program launched in Charlotte to send home rapid COVID-19 tests with students, staff – mlive.com

Through a new K-12 school pilot program, launched this week in Charlotte, students, parents and staff can sign up to take home free kits containing two COVID-19 antigen tests.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, Nov. 18, introduced the MI Backpack Home Tests service to support families, teachers and support workers during the pandemic.

We must use every tool in our toolbox to keep kids safe and ensure that they can continue learning in person this school year, Whitmer said in a statement.

The announcement came as case numbers are rising rapidly in Michigan. This week, the seven-day average number of new cases reported per day reached the highest level since the start of the pandemic. This week, the state led the country in total new cases and new cases per 100,000 people.

Most recently, the state reported nearly 90 new outbreaks in schools, infecting more than 520 people.

Those enrolled in the voluntary program at Charlotte Public Schools receive one at-home test kit, which includes the two tests and educational materials. They may use the tests when they exhibit symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.

Whitmer launched the program in partnership with the state Department of Health and Human Services.

MDHHS is committed to looking for innovative ways to protect the public health during this pandemic, Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director for the MDHHS public health administration, said in the statement.

Additional districts, including Benton Harbor Area Schools and Battle Creek Public Schools, will later be added to the program. They are to receive their test kits after Thanksgiving break.

The Department of Health and Human Services is inviting a geographically diverse group of schools to participate so its effectiveness can be gauged across the state, according to the statement.

This is an expansion of the MI Safe Schools Testing Program, begun in January and intended to support schools incorporating SARS-CoV-2 testing into their plans to resume in-person learning. It provides rapid antigen testing to educators and staff.

Testing is one way to control and monitor the virus.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigans chief medical executive, also encourages mask wearing, maintaining good ventilation, social distancing, handwashing and vaccination.

Whitmer urges all parents to take their children five and older to get the safe and effective Pfizer vaccine, authorized this month for children 5-11.

So far, about 8% of this population has received a first dose and those 12 to 15, eligible for the vaccine since May, are among the least vaccinated group in Michigan.

Statewide, about 60% of the eligible population is vaccinated. Without including children 5 to 11, the number jumps to about 65%.

Read more on MLive:

Coronavirus data for Thursday, Nov. 18: Daily cases spike 104% as Michigans surge hits No. 1 in the U.S.

COVID-19 Q&A: Should I invite non-vaccinated family to Thanksgiving dinner?

Michigan reports 2-day total of 14,561 new COVID cases and 242 deaths on Wednesday, Nov. 17

West Michigan healthcare coalition says its resources are being overwhelmed by COVID and other patients

521 infected across 87 new coronavirus outbreaks at Michigan schools

Excerpt from:

Pilot program launched in Charlotte to send home rapid COVID-19 tests with students, staff - mlive.com