Red Lake School District will be offering COVID-19 Saliva Testing for all School Staff on a bi-weekly basis beginning Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Red Lake School District, ISD#38

P.O. Box 499, Red Lake, MN 56671

218-679-3353

To: Red Lake School District Staff

Date: February 10, 2021

RE: COVID-19 Saliva Testing for School Staff

As COVID-19 continues to spread, Minnesota is continually expanding testing options and working to remove barriers so every Minnesotan can access testing. Experts agree that testing is a critical part of the process to identify, contain and stop the spread of the virus.

Minnesota continues to prioritize in-person learning while protecting the health and safety of our students, staff, and families, so state leaders are working to ensure that school staff are prioritized for COVID-19 testing. Red Lake School District will be offering COVID-19 Saliva Testing for all School Staff on a bi-weekly basis beginning Wednesday, February 17, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the following locations:

1. Red Lake Elementary Complex: New Conference room – check in with Security Guard

2. Red Lake Secondary Complex: Administration Office – check in with Ashley Nelson

3. Ponemah Elementary: Room 100A – check in with Security Guard

Staff who would like to receive the test should:

• Hydrate up to 30 minutes prior to testing

• Not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum 30 minutes prior to testing

• Have your smartphone/tablet/laptop available during testing

• Pre-register on the COVID.VLT.CO website is recommended

• Pre-notifying of intent to test is recommended by contacting Ashley Nelson at x1122 or 679-5102.

This is a self-administered test - Step-by Step Guide for self-administered testing

Step 1: Ensure you have a smartphone/tablet with internet access and have not had anything to eat, drink, smoke, or chewed gum in the 30 minutes prior

Step 2: Go to COVID.VLT.CO on your smartphone/tablet

Step 3: Log in at the top of the first page using your email address, password, and complete basic steps to register test.

Step 4: Obtain your test tube when prompted on the registration

Step 5: Complete the saliva test – Verify the right amount of sample is in the tube, cover the test tube, shake the solution for 5 seconds and place in the biohazard bag. Place the biohazard bag in the completed tray.

*Results are typically available to individuals at the email or phone provided within 48 hours of being received.

What screening COVID-19 testing means for schools

• All school staff are encouraged to be tested regularly, regardless of symptoms. In addition to this onsite program, testing resources (community sites and at-home ordering) are available at mn.gov/covid19.

• Tests in the screening program are free and insurance will not be billed; the state will cover the costs.

• Public and charter schools with in-person and hybrid learning are required to offer screening testing to educators and staff working in-person.

▪ This includes bus drivers, child care and early learning program staff (early childhood family education [ECFE], early childhood special education [ECSE], prekindergarten, school readiness and school-age care), community education staff, educators, nutrition staff, paraprofessionals, school and district administration/office staff, school nurses, support staff such as social workers and guidance counselors

• Testing is optional for staff.

• Individual test results are provided to the employee.

• The duration of this testing program depends on continued funding.

Information to Share with Staff Participating in COVID-19 Testing

• Staff with symptoms or who have been exposed to COVID-19 should not report to work and should be in quarantine according to public health guidance.

• Test results are provided via email - be sure to provide an email you check regularly. Test results are usually emailed within 48 hours after the lab receives the test. Test results can be provided by phone for individuals without access to e-mail.

• If your test result is positive for COVID-19, MDH or local public health will call you with health information for you and the people who live with you. It is important to answer this call, so you can learn how to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe.

• Your information is confidential unless you give permission for us to share your name. In rare circumstances, MDH may need to share your name with your workplace, school, or child care to protect the health and safety of others. MDH will attempt to contact you prior to doing so.

• Health guidance for school is available on the MDH website.

Please let Ashley Nelson or Donald Brun know if you have any questions on the process.

Thank you!