FAQs

In an effort to provide an opportunity for students to safely remain in school, some Kentucky schools are adding an additional - voluntary - mitigation strategy called Test to Stay. Those who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 but are not showing symptoms will be given a COVID-19 test at a pre-determined frequency within a modified quarantine period of seven days. During this time, the student may remain in the classroom as long as the test is negative. For more information please check with your local school.

All School districts/schools need to do is contact MAKO directly to begin scheduling COVID-19 screening testing.”

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No. Testing is not required but the KDPH strongly recommends COVID-19 testing to help keep students healthy and schools open.

FREE!!! There is no cost to participate in the COVID testing program at your designated school and you do not need to have insurance.

Once the parent/guardian consent form is signed and emailed to Rnibert@makomedical.com and Jtucker@makomedical.com, the student will be tested at the schools designated testing area by Mako Medical Laboratories and then begin their school day.

If an individual in a school tests positive for COVID-19, the individual should self-isolate away from school for 10 days after the start of the illness (or testing date) or otherwise follow the direction of the local public health department. The schools should work with the local public health department to conduct contact tracing and identify necessary public health actions, as appropriate

Results will be available to parents/guardians within 24 hours via email or text. You will be asked to enter your personal information once you are in the easily accessible portal

The student's guardian will receive the test results along with the school's appointed nurse or healthcare professional.

Our program provides weekly testing, but we will work with each school district individually to assess the best timetable.

Yes, a consent form for parents and guardians is required to participate in the program. Complete and sign this form and email to Rnibert@makomedical.com and Jtucker@makomedical.com.

The rapid COVID test is administered by anterior nares nasal swab (Swirls around the nostril and does not touch the brain!) The rapid antigen test can return results showing whether the tested is infected with acute COVID-19 the same day.

The PCR test is the gold standard. With a simple tickle of the nose, your student can have the most sensitive and accurate test performed and resulted delivered within 24 hours

Trained school or potentially MAKO will administer the tests on-site at school, using an FDA approved test to detected SARS-CoV-2 virus.

This is a personal decision that needs to be made carefully but KDPH strongly encourages school districts and parents to enroll in the program for the 2021-2022 school year. Testing is a crucial measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but is not required. Check out these stats!

Schools should implement layer prevention strategies to protect individuals who are not fully vaccinated from COVID-19. Testing to diagnose COVID-19 is only one potential piece of a school’s comprehensive strategy to fight the spread of COVID-19.

More details and strategies to keep students and staff safe can be found here and here.

This school-based COVID-19 screening testing program is supported by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $134 million with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS.

Allowable testing includes FDA authorized or approved SARS-CoV-2 PCR, nucleic acid amplification (NAAT), and antigen testing. These tests typically require a nose swab or a sample of saliva from the person being tested.

Testing will be limited to staff and students of Kentucky K-12 public, private, and charter schools and includes school district employees and staff (contracted or otherwise), such as bus drivers, maintenance, office staff or as determined by the school administrator.

The school district/school and laboratory service provider will determine screening testing participation and frequency. CDC Guidance: Screening testing to promptly identify cases, clusters, and outbreaks

The K-12 School COVID-12 Testing Program will begin August 2, 2021 and operate the entire 2021-22 academic year. The last day specimens may be submitted for testing through this program will be June 17, 2022.