she said the rapid antigen tests are easy to administer, and could be sent home with children to be conducted by parents in the evening. she said they require a nasal swab, but not one that reaches to the back of the throat.
the alberta government launched a rapid testing pilot in eight school districts last spring. positive results were treated as preliminary, and were followed up with a pcr test at a provincial testing location for confirmation.
from march 18 to june 23, 34,699 rapid tests were conducted in schools, resulting in 72 preliminary positive results.
asadi said with no asymptomatic testing happening at all in alberta at the moment, any testing would be beneficial.
“i think it strikes a reasonable balance,” she said. “if they don’t want to quarantine the whole class because they’re worried about kids missing school, there’s this whole other option.”
alberta education spokesperson nicole sparrow said in an email student safety remains its top concern, and localized rapid testing may be used in schools if the need arises.
she added any school board wishing to run a rapid testing program could request those tests from alberta health.
both the calgary board of education (cbe) and the calgary catholic school district (ccsd) said they are not currently participating in any rapid testing programs. the cbe added it is not participating due to the additional resources that would be required.