SD58 among first school districts to receive rapid tests for students

Further pandemic supports are coming for B.C. students and schools, with 300,000 rapid antigen test kits to be delivered in phases.

The first phase will be rural and remote school districts for use by students with symptoms of COVID-19. SD58 Nicola-Similkameen has been listed in the first phase of the test distribution.

“By making rapid tests available to symptomatic students in rural and remote communities, we are using an additional tool to strengthen the continuity of learning,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “Since the return to class on Jan. 10, teachers and staff in B.C. have worked diligently to ensure classrooms and schools continue to be safe places and spaces for students to learn. I thank them for the tireless work they do each day to give students every opportunity to achieve their best.”

School districts will distribute the five-pack test kits for families of students who reside in rural and remote regions of B.C. This will ensure that communities that are further away from regional testing facilities have access to tests.

Test kits for students are in addition to the more than 200,000 test kits shipped in mid-January for symptomatic staff, teachers and administrators.