Ohio Schools to Receive COVID-19 Test Kits
Release date: 3/11/2021
COLUMBUS, OHIO - March 11, 2021 - The Ohio Department of Education in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Educational Service Center Association today announced plans to provide an estimated 200,000 Abbott BinaxNOW Home Tests to Ohio public and private schools as another means of providing a safe learning environment for students, in addition to staff vaccinations and continued adherence to safety protocols like surface cleaning and facial coverings. The state purchased the tests and will work closely with Ohio’s network of educational service centers to distribute them to schools and districts. The 15-minute BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test has received FDA Emergency Use Authorization and is packaged with instructions to access a telehealth professional who will oversee test administration, prescription writing and result reporting.
Schools and districts are encouraged to work with their local departments of health to determine the best strategies for using the tests at their locations. It would be appropriate to use the tests for symptomatic students, teachers and staff members.
“It was important to get these tests in the hands of school leaders because we know how important it is for students to be able to continue learning in their classrooms,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “In addition to the staff vaccinations, masks and physical-distancing practices that Ohio’s schools already employ so well, these tests will be a big help in our efforts to keep students, staff and communities safe.” “Convenient access to testing is one more tool in our toolbox as we all work together to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria. “Even with these tests and school staff members having the opportunity to be vaccinated, it still will be important to continue protective strategies like mask wearing, frequent hand-washing and maintaining social distancing.”
“We’ve worked very closely with leaders at the state and local levels to make sure Ohio’s schools have access to the resources they need to ensure the safety and health of their students and staff members,” said Ohio Educational Service Center Association Director Craig Burford. “We’re proud to be able to assist in this effort by distributing test kits to public and private schools across the state.”
Schools and districts should contact their regional educational service centers for more information on how to obtain tests. Find more information about the BinaxNOW At Home COVID-19 Test including a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers here.
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Contact for News Media: Mandy Minick at Mandy.Minick@education.ohio.gov or (614) 816-4451 http://education.ohio.gov/Media The Ohio Department of Education is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals dedicated to fulfilling the vision established in Each Child, Our Future, Ohio’s strategic plan for education. The vision is, “In Ohio, each child is challenged to discover and learn, prepared to pursue a fulfilling post-high school path and empowered to become a resilient, lifelong learner who contributes to society.” Ensuring this vision for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students, in partnership with more than 240,000 educators across the state, is no small feat. Under the leadership of the superintendent of public instruction and governed by the State Board of Education, Department team members, in collaboration with a wide range of partners, are sharply focused on helping schools and districts continually improve to be the best they can be for each child. Equity and impact are core to every program, service and action. The Department’s work is well regarded both in Ohio and nationally for its innovative, leading-edge and forward-looking approach. When the Department succeeds, students succeed, communities succeed and Ohio succeeds.