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Distribution of Rapid Antigen Test Kits on Thursday, January 20, 2022

Covid-19,Director of Education Updates

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19, reduce absenteeism, and to continue to support our school communities, the St. Clair Catholic District School Board is pleased to offer rapid antigen test kits for symptomatic students and staff.  They will be sent home, two per student on Thursday, January 20, 2022.

If you do not wish to have Rapid Antigen Tests sent home with your children, please notify your school before Thursday, January 20, 2022.

In alignment with the updated testing guidance from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, individuals may use rapid antigen tests if they are experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19. The test kit provided to you contains two rapid antigen tests. This testing option is voluntary for students, children and staff.  If a symptomatic individual chooses not to participate, they are presumed positive and should isolate immediately and follow updated testing guidance: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/school_childcare_guidance_omicron.pdf

Please read the information below carefully, if choosing to participate.

When to Use a Take-home Rapid Antigen Screening Kit:

  • For individuals choosing to participate in this testing option, they must display symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19. As outlined in the updated guidance (https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_reference_doc_symptoms.pdf), this includes:
    • Fever and/or chills; OR
    • Cough; OR
    • Shortness of breath; OR
    • Decrease or loss of taste or smell; OR
    • Two or more of:
      • runny nose/nasal congestion
      • headache
      • extreme fatigue
      • sore throat
      • muscle aches/joint pain
      • gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e. vomiting or diarrhea)
  • Symptomatic individuals must complete the rapid antigen tests at home.
  • If the first RAT test is positive there is no need to use the second test. A positive RAT is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19. A positive RAT does NOT need to be confirmed with a PCR test. Positive RAT tests do NOT need to be reported to the public health unit, school or child care
  • If the first RAT test is negative complete the second test separated by 24-48 hours.

Using the Take-home Rapid Antigen Screening Kit:

St. Clair Catholic will be distributing the BTXN Rapid Response test kit.  Please click on the link below for instructions on how to use it:

1.      BTXN Rapid Response™: https://www.ontariohealth.ca/sites/ontariohealth/files/2022-01/BTNXSelfScreeningInstructions.pdf

Important note: Parents or guardians may choose to administer this screening on children who may need help (i.e. younger children).

What to do after your test:

  • You will know the outcome of the test within 15 minutes.
  • If the first rapid antigen test is positive, there is no need to use the second test. A positive rapid antigen test is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19. Positive rapid antigen tests do NOT need to be reported to the public health unit, school or child care.
  • If the first rapid antigen test is negative, complete the second test within 24-48 hours of the first test. If two consecutive rapid antigen tests, separated by 24-48 hours, are both negative, the symptomatic individual is less likely to have COVID-19 infection, and the individual should isolate until symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms are present).
  • If the individual who tests positive is fully vaccinated or 11 years of age or younger, they must self-isolate for at least 5 days from symptom onset and until their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms), whichever is longer in duration.
  • If the individual who tests positive is 12 years of age or older and is either partially vaccinated or unvaccinated they must self-isolate for 10 days from symptom onset or from the date of their test (whichever was earlier).
  • If the individual who tests positive is immune-compromised (regardless of age and vaccination status) they must self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or from the date of their test (whichever came sooner).

Thank you for your support in helping to make our schools safer for students and staff.

Sincerely,

Scott Johnson
Director of Education