Student self-tests to be an option
Wolf administration unveils program to offer free nasal swab COVID-19 screening
HARRISBURG — The Wolf administration on Monday announced free and optional virus testing in K-12 schools in which children will swab their own nostrils as part of the process to identify COVID-19 spread.
In addition, the administration ordered virus vaccine providers to “make every effort” to carry out vaccine clinics at schools and universities that want them.
The two moves were described by acting Health Secretary Alison Beam and Education Secretary Noe Ortega as attempts to maximize chances that schools won’t be closed to in-person learning because of virus spread.
The two officials and a spokesperson for Ginkgo Bioworks, which received a contract from the state for the optional testing, said it would occur in schools weekly.
“Everything is optional, parents definitely need to consent in,” the spokesperson, Karen Hogan, said.
She said swabbing would take about four seconds in each nostril, and the swab will not be as invasive as ones used for testing early in the pandemic.
“There is none of this deep, tickling brain nasal swab,” Hogan said.
Samples, Hogan and Beam said, will be grouped together and tested for COVID-19 in “pools.” If a pool tests positive, they said, it would be up to the school or local health officials to follow up with more testing to determine the identity of the infected child.
“It’s really, really simple. We test kids as a group. It’s a lot easier and more efficient than people are used to,” Hogan said.
Beam said a typical classroom test can be administered in about 10 minutes.
She said Ginkgo has an $87 million contract to provide the testing.
“We contacted states who were already using them. We heard nothing but positive feedback. Students, teachers, nurses, school administrators alike have described the testing process as simple and painless,” Beam said. “The
program alerts schools quickly if COVID-19 is present within the classroom or the school environment. Early detection like this is exactly what we need to keep students in classrooms and COVID out.”
Republican, school reaction
It was not clear whether the Democratic Wolf administration consulted with leaders in the Republican-controlled Legislature about the initiatives.
Republican Rep. Kathy Rapp of Warren County, chairperson of the House Health Committee, said parental choice has to be a priority as the programs start.
Rapp had some concerns that kids would see who was swabbing — and not swabbing — and take the information home to their parents. And, Rapp wondered what specific steps a school would take to identify an infected individual once a “pool” tested positive.
Republicans already have jousted with the Wolf administration over its backing of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for “universal masking” in schools.
Beam reiterated Monday that while the Wolf administration supports the CDC language, it is leaving final decisions up to school districts themselves.
Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Joseph Roy said he needed to learn more about the in-school testing option.
“Surveillance testing, which is what this is, is not in our plans right now,” Roy said. “My intent is to learn more about this program.”
His 14,000-student district has considered “rapid testing” several times, but on each occasion has shied away from it because of questions about accuracy.
Another factor in deciding on the program, Roy said, is that his district — unlike many others — has a direct link to a local public health agency.
The close working relationship with the Bethlehem Health Bureau, he said, gives it some flexibility on COVID-19-related matters.
Vaccine clinics
Beam said an order she signed — which took effect early Monday — directs providers to coordinate vaccine clinics with K-12 schools and higher education entities.
“When requested to do so by any institution of higher education or school entity, vaccine providers are expected to make every effort to coordinate a vaccine clinic for the employees, contractors, volunteers, students or students’ families,” Beam said.
If a provider cannot meet the request, they are to direct the school to contact the Department of Health to come up with an alternate plan.
The money for both the testing and vaccine clinic programs comes from $338 million in CDC funds allocated for COVID-19related uses in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia, which receives funding separately.
The state moves got kudos from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, who appeared at the news conference via a remote connection.
Cardona said Pennsylvania is leading other states with its steps to limit COVID-19 in schools, and in particular heeding President Joe Biden’s expressed desire for more pop-up vaccination clinics.
“I am hoping other states are watching what you are doing,” Cardona said.