Attleboro Public Schools start new COVID testing system

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) – Attleboro Public Schools started a new COVID-19 testing system on Monday as part of its return to in-person learning.

The system has three different kinds of tests to monitor the transmission of COVID-19 in the schools.

One, the basic rapid test, is for students and staff who have been exposed but do not have symptoms, and need results quickly.

The schools are also doing “symptomatic testing” for those showing symptoms. Additionally, the school system is using what they call the “test and stay method.” With this, studetns are tested but remain in the classroom.

“What happens is, if the pool comes back positive, the lab will run the second test from the swan and the lab can find out right then. As opposed to last year, if we had a positive test in the pool we get notified and that kid would come to school, and we would run the test here,” said COVID testing coordinator Kim Janssen. “So we’re excited about that.”

Parents need to give consent for their kids to be tested, which they can do online.