State won’t provide COVID tests to Massachusetts schools this fall

BOSTON – Massachusetts is not going to proceed to distribute COVID assessments to varsities this fall, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Training introduced in a memo to superintendents this week.

“The state will not provide self-tests or different COVID testing providers to varsities and districts starting within the fall,” Training Commissioner Jeffrey Riley stated. “For varsity yr 2022-23, DESE and DPH strongly advocate that colleges and districts keen on implementing their very own testing program restrict that program to symptomatic speedy testing solely.” 

Districts can nonetheless purchase assessments by the statewide contract, Riley famous. However testing software program and different providers at the moment offered by CIC Well being is not going to be an choice.

The state-run testing program will nonetheless function by the remainder of the 2021-2022 faculty yr and be accessible for school-based summer time packages.

Between Might 12 and Might 18, Massachusetts colleges reported almost 15,000 constructive circumstances amongst college students and over 4,000 positives for employees.